Seed and Pollen Parent Differences

Hi All,

I just read the following in the book Growing Geraniums & Pelargoniums in Australia and New Zealand by Llewellyn, Hudson and Morrison.  Am hoping someone can expound on the cytoplasmic inheritance.

Sandy

From page 68 of my copy:

"Most of the characteristics of a plant are coded into a genetic system carried in the chromosome bodies located in the cell nucleus.  Typically identical chromosomes should exist in both the pollen and egg embryo but the genetic codes vary, so allowing the production of plants having minor differences such as petal colour, leaf shape, and growth characteristics.  However, bodies in the cell other than the nucleus are also responsible for some of the characteristics.  This is called cytoplasmic inheritance and is important in that only the seed parent can contribute this to the progeny.  The pollen plant is restricted to the supply of nuclear (chromosome) held characteristics.  Expressed in another way, pollen A put on to stigma B could well produce a plant quite different to that resulting from pollen B placed on to stigma A."
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