Importance of outcrossing for fruit production in slickspot peppergrass, Lepidium papilliferum L. (Brassicaceae)

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Abstract:

Plants with insect-mediated pollination are often assumed to be obligate outcrossers; i.e., pollen must be supplied from flowers of other individuals for pollination and subsequent fruit production. Because breeding systems of plants are diverse and included varying levels fo outcrossing and selfing, experiments are required to determine whether pollination on a particular species occurs via outcrossing, self-pollination, or both. Here I report the results of such a study on slickspot peppergrass, Lepidium papilliferum L. (Brassicaceae), a rare mustard endemic to sagebrush-steppe habitat in southwestern Idaho. I conducted an experiment to determine the breeding system of L. papilliferum from early May to mid-July 2002 at 3 sites in southwestern Idaho. Although the rate and distributon of pollen dispersal among flowers and between populations is not known for L. papilliferum, it is clear from the present study that most, if not all, fruit production is achieved via outcrossing. Understanding the population genetics of L. papilliferum may provide valuable insight into the effects of habitat fragmentation on outcrossing and gene flow between populations.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - BOTANY: PLANT SPECIES: {Lepidium papilliferum}