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The effect of phosphite on meiosis and sexual reproduction
Conference paper   Open access

The effect of phosphite on meiosis and sexual reproduction

M.M. Fairbanks, G.E.St.J. Hardy and J.A. McComb
Centre for Phytophthora Research and Management, Murdoch University
Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems: 2nd International IUFRO Working Party 7.02.09 Meeting (Albany, Western Australia, 30/09/2001–05/10/2001)
2003
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Abstract

The fungicide phosphite was found to reduce pollen fertility in Australian and exotic species. In the perennial Dryandra sessilis the reduction was evident for a year after treatment with 2.5-10 gL-1 phosphite sprayed to run off. Pterochaeta paniculata, an annual, showed reduced pollen fertility in flowers that opened 16-30 days after spraying. The horticultural species Pelunia hybrida and Tradescantia virginiana also displayed reduced pollen fertility after phosphite treatment. Pollen mother cells of Tradescantia had a significant percentage of abnormal first and second divisions and micronuclei in the microspores for up to one month after spraying. There was evidence that phosphite induced premature tapetum breakdown in Pelunia but not Tradescantia. The percentage of abnormal meiotic cells and the frequency of premature tapetum breakdown appeared insufficient to account for the high levels of pollen infertility observed after phosphite treatment.

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