Dynamic Pollen–Stigma Coordination in <i>Dendrobium</i> Hybridization: A Strategy to Maximize Fruit Set and Hybrid Seed Viability
This study investigated dynamic pollen–stigma coordination to optimize interspecific hybridization in <i>Dendrobium</i> using <i>D.</i> ‘Burana Jade’ as the maternal parent and eight wild species as pollen donors. Stigma receptivity was comprehensively evaluated using a multi...
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2025-05-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/544 |
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| author | Qian Wu Yanbing Qian Ao Guan Yan Yue Zongyan Li Bruce Dunn Jianwei Yang Shuangshuang Yi Yi Liao Junmei Yin |
| author_facet | Qian Wu Yanbing Qian Ao Guan Yan Yue Zongyan Li Bruce Dunn Jianwei Yang Shuangshuang Yi Yi Liao Junmei Yin |
| author_sort | Qian Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated dynamic pollen–stigma coordination to optimize interspecific hybridization in <i>Dendrobium</i> using <i>D.</i> ‘Burana Jade’ as the maternal parent and eight wild species as pollen donors. Stigma receptivity was comprehensively evaluated using a multi-indicator approach, including morphological characterization (crystal secretion and bulging papillae), histochemical benzidine-H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> staining, and enzymatic activity profiling (esterase and superoxide dismutase). Concurrently, pollen viability was assessed through TTC testing coupled with ultrastructural observations. Results identified a critical synchronization window: pollen viability peaked at 1–3 days post anthesis (DPA) or during the mid-anthesis phase, while stigmas exhibited maximal receptivity when secretory activity and antioxidant enzyme levels significantly increased. Using stage-specific pollination criteria, 8.4% of crosses (8/95) produced viable fruits, outperforming empirical methods by 2.8-fold. <i>D.</i> ‘Burana Jade’ showed cross-compatibility with four <i>Dendrobium</i> species (<i>D. aphyllum</i>, <i>D. chrysotoxum</i>, <i>D. hercoglossum</i>, <i>D. thyrsiflorum</i>), with <i>D. thyrsiflorum</i> hybrids achieving 54.81% embryogenesis and 22.38% germination. Three compatible combinations germinated successfully in vitro within 45–55 days on 1/4 MS medium supplemented with 20 g/L sucrose, 1 g/L tryptone, 180 mL/L coconut water, and 2.2 g/L Phytagel. Our findings establish that synchronizing pollen viability windows with stigma receptivity phases significantly enhances fruit set and hybrid seed viability, providing a phenology-driven strategy to overcome reproductive barriers in orchid breeding programs. This study provides key physiological criteria for <i>Dendrobium</i> hybridization, though their applicability to other orchids needs validation. Future multi-omics studies should explore cross-species compatibility mechanisms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6dbb5a89bf334ef2ab049142643ea220 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj-art-6dbb5a89bf334ef2ab049142643ea2202025-08-20T03:14:35ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-05-0111554410.3390/horticulturae11050544Dynamic Pollen–Stigma Coordination in <i>Dendrobium</i> Hybridization: A Strategy to Maximize Fruit Set and Hybrid Seed ViabilityQian Wu0Yanbing Qian1Ao Guan2Yan Yue3Zongyan Li4Bruce Dunn5Jianwei Yang6Shuangshuang Yi7Yi Liao8Junmei Yin9Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Faculty, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaLandscape Architecture and Horticulture Faculty, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaLandscape Architecture and Horticulture Faculty, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaLandscape Architecture and Horticulture Faculty, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaLandscape Architecture and Horticulture Faculty, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaDepartment of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74075, USACollege of Tea (Pu’er), West Yunnan University of Applied Sciences, Pu’er 665099, ChinaTropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou 571101, ChinaTropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou 571101, ChinaTropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Science, Haikou 571101, ChinaThis study investigated dynamic pollen–stigma coordination to optimize interspecific hybridization in <i>Dendrobium</i> using <i>D.</i> ‘Burana Jade’ as the maternal parent and eight wild species as pollen donors. Stigma receptivity was comprehensively evaluated using a multi-indicator approach, including morphological characterization (crystal secretion and bulging papillae), histochemical benzidine-H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> staining, and enzymatic activity profiling (esterase and superoxide dismutase). Concurrently, pollen viability was assessed through TTC testing coupled with ultrastructural observations. Results identified a critical synchronization window: pollen viability peaked at 1–3 days post anthesis (DPA) or during the mid-anthesis phase, while stigmas exhibited maximal receptivity when secretory activity and antioxidant enzyme levels significantly increased. Using stage-specific pollination criteria, 8.4% of crosses (8/95) produced viable fruits, outperforming empirical methods by 2.8-fold. <i>D.</i> ‘Burana Jade’ showed cross-compatibility with four <i>Dendrobium</i> species (<i>D. aphyllum</i>, <i>D. chrysotoxum</i>, <i>D. hercoglossum</i>, <i>D. thyrsiflorum</i>), with <i>D. thyrsiflorum</i> hybrids achieving 54.81% embryogenesis and 22.38% germination. Three compatible combinations germinated successfully in vitro within 45–55 days on 1/4 MS medium supplemented with 20 g/L sucrose, 1 g/L tryptone, 180 mL/L coconut water, and 2.2 g/L Phytagel. Our findings establish that synchronizing pollen viability windows with stigma receptivity phases significantly enhances fruit set and hybrid seed viability, providing a phenology-driven strategy to overcome reproductive barriers in orchid breeding programs. This study provides key physiological criteria for <i>Dendrobium</i> hybridization, though their applicability to other orchids needs validation. Future multi-omics studies should explore cross-species compatibility mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/544<i>Dendrobium</i>interspecific hybridizationdevelopmental traitspollensigma |
| spellingShingle | Qian Wu Yanbing Qian Ao Guan Yan Yue Zongyan Li Bruce Dunn Jianwei Yang Shuangshuang Yi Yi Liao Junmei Yin Dynamic Pollen–Stigma Coordination in <i>Dendrobium</i> Hybridization: A Strategy to Maximize Fruit Set and Hybrid Seed Viability Horticulturae <i>Dendrobium</i> interspecific hybridization developmental traits pollen sigma |
| title | Dynamic Pollen–Stigma Coordination in <i>Dendrobium</i> Hybridization: A Strategy to Maximize Fruit Set and Hybrid Seed Viability |
| title_full | Dynamic Pollen–Stigma Coordination in <i>Dendrobium</i> Hybridization: A Strategy to Maximize Fruit Set and Hybrid Seed Viability |
| title_fullStr | Dynamic Pollen–Stigma Coordination in <i>Dendrobium</i> Hybridization: A Strategy to Maximize Fruit Set and Hybrid Seed Viability |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dynamic Pollen–Stigma Coordination in <i>Dendrobium</i> Hybridization: A Strategy to Maximize Fruit Set and Hybrid Seed Viability |
| title_short | Dynamic Pollen–Stigma Coordination in <i>Dendrobium</i> Hybridization: A Strategy to Maximize Fruit Set and Hybrid Seed Viability |
| title_sort | dynamic pollen stigma coordination in i dendrobium i hybridization a strategy to maximize fruit set and hybrid seed viability |
| topic | <i>Dendrobium</i> interspecific hybridization developmental traits pollen sigma |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/544 |
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