Pollen Dynamics and Temperature Effects in Fruit Species

Pollen dynamics in fruit species encompass the viability, dispersal, germination and subsequent tube growth that culminate in successful fertilisation and fruit set. Temperature exerts a profound influence at each stage: low temperatures may delay or inhibit germination and tube elongation, while high temperatures can accelerate senescence of pollen grains or stigmatic tissues, reducing reproductive success. In temperate fruit trees, winter chilling accumulates to break endodormancy in buds, synchronising flowering with favourable spring conditions; insufficient chilling under warmer climates disrupts flowering synchrony and lowers yield. Tropical and subtropical species exhibit narrow cardinal temperature ranges for pollen performance, making them vulnerable to both global warming and episodic cold spells. Recent advances have elucidated species-specific thermal thresholds, antioxidant responses in pollen under heat stress and metabolic pathways that underpin temperature adaptation. Integrating this knowledge into breeding programmes and orchard management strategies is essential to safeguard global fruit production under changing climates, optimise cultivar selection for distinct regions and fine-tune pollination practices for maximal fruit set.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have quantified the temperature sensitivity of pollen germination and tube growth in mango. In four commercially important varieties, in vitro assays across 14–36 °C revealed distinct cardinal temperatures for germination (Tmin ~20 °C, Topt ~28 °C, Tmax ~34 °C) and tube elongation (Tmin ~20 °C, Topt ~30 °C, Tmax ~34 °C). Varietal differences in thermal breadth were linked to fluctuations in antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation markers under stress. One variety maintained over 30 % germination at 30 °C, while another displayed a narrow thermal window, highlighting potential targets for breeding temperature-resilient genotypes and informing regional introduction strategies.

Pollen Dynamics and Temperature Effects in Fruit Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in pollen dynamics and temperature effects in fruit species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Pollen germination: the initiation of a pollen tube from a grain once it contacts a receptive stigma under suitable environmental conditions.

Pollen tube growth: the elongation process by which the pollen tube traverses the style towards the ovule to deliver sperm cells.

Cardinal temperatures: the specific minimum (Tmin), optimum (Topt) and maximum (Tmax) temperatures defining the performance range of a biological process.

Chilling requirement: the cumulative exposure to low temperatures necessary to break bud endodormancy and enable subsequent flowering.

Growing degree hours (GDH): accumulated heat units above a base threshold used to predict developmental rates such as budburst or anthesis.

Endodormancy: an internally regulated cessation of growth in buds, preventing premature development before environmental conditions are favourable.

References

1. Perspectives on the adaptation of Japanese plum-type cultivars to reduced winter chilling in two regions of Spain. Frontiers in Plant Science (2024).
2. Differential effects of low and high temperature stress on pollen germination and tube length of mango (Mangifera indica L.) genotypes. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. High Temperature and Humidity Affect Pollen Viability and Longevity in Olea europaea L.. Agronomy (2021).
4. Effects of temperatures on pollen germination and pollen tube growth in apple. Bragantia (2023).