Gametophytic apomixis in a gymnosperm, Larix decidua Mill., results in normal male meiosis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21750/REFOR.19.05.126

Keywords:

apomixis, Larix, meiosis, pollen mother cells, inbred line, gynogenesis

Abstract

An adult tree of Larix decidua Mill., European larch, was produced from doubling one haploid female gametophyte. Whether this tree can produce normal male meiocytes is the crucial question. This adult’s pollen mother cells (PMCs), or male meiocytes, were squashed and stained. Male meiosis was normal and no abortive pollen grains were observed. This female gametophytic apomict of a conifer, a dihaploid adult, is 100% homozygous yet also reproductively competent with normal male meiosis and functional male pollen. Here we show that doubled female gametophytes can produce embryos and reproductively competent adult trees. This shows a way to gain rapid homozygosity and produce completely inbred lines for larch. This is a novel breeding shortcut reported for the first time for a conifer species.

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Author Biographies

  • Patrick von Aderkas, University of Victoria

    Centre for Forest Biology

    Dept Biology

    Professor

  • Claire G. Williams, American University

    Department of Environmental Sciences

    Research Professor-in-Residence

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Published

2025-07-04

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Section

Articles

How to Cite

von Aderkas, Patrick, and Claire Williams. “Gametophytic Apomixis in a Gymnosperm, Larix Decidua Mill., Results in Normal Male Meiosis”. REFORESTA, no. 19 (July 4, 2025): 49–57. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://journal.reforestationchallenges.org/index.php/REFOR/article/view/232.

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