Electrophoretic evidence supporting self-incompatibility in Lotus corniculatus

Abstract

Self-incompatibility, a prefertilization event, and self-sterility, a postfertilization event, have both been suggested as causes for differences in seed set between cross- and self-pollinated florets in Lotus corniculatus L. Ovary protein subunits of selfed, crossed, and unpollinated florets of L. corniculatus cv. Mirabel were studied using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Banding patterns differed for all three conditions. Ovary protein differences were found prior to the time fertilization is known to occur, thereby providing evidence that self-incompatibility is at least partially responsible for the reduced seed set after self-pollination.