Induction of male sterility in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) with GA3; influence of temperature and GA3 concentration.

Abstract

During 1976, L. sativa 'Suzan' plants were grown in the glasshouse at constant temperatures of 17, 20 and 23 deg C, or with day and night temperatures varying between 25 and 15 deg C. Plants with flower buds 1-3 mm in length were sprayed with seven GA3 concentrations (0-400 mg/kg H2O). Male-sterile and fertile flowers were assessed visually, and then pollinated by the anthocyanin-containing cultivar Valore. The induction of male sterility was most successful at varying day/night temperatures, and the optimum GA3 concentrations were 50 mg at 17 and 20 deg C, 100-200 mg at 23 deg C and 200 mg/kg at varying day/night temperatures. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)