Re: Cross pollination question
> other varieties to avoid cross-pollination. Apparently, this
> cross-pollination would affect the taste quality of the corn.
> What is the direct effect of cross-pollination on the immediate fruit in
> cucurbits? We have previously held to the belief that cross-pollination
> doesn't matter unless you save the seeds as the affect of the
> cross-pollination won't be realized until those seeds are grown. Is it
> possible that cross-pollination CAN have an immediate effect? If so, what
is
> it?
OK, not a plant breeder or biologist but I do eat corn. :-)
When you eat this year's corn are you not also eating what would have been
next year's seeds?
The seed from an xx variety seed will grow a plant that is true to form for
an xx plant. It will have xx variety seeded ears, unless it gets crossed
with yy variety pollen. Since the yy pollen may effect the taste you may end
up with an ear of corn that tastes nothing like the true xx variety.
Thus, just like in curcurbits, it is next year's seeds (aka this year's
vegetable) where the change occurs.
This years corn plant, again not unlike this years cucurbyte, was a result
of last year's seed only.
Still I don't think that the question it fully answered. When I harvest corn
some of the "cobs" are bigger than others. What caused one cob to be bigger
than others when, in this example, the corn was selfed. What ever causes
this bigger cob (the seed holder if you will) may be able to cause a
difference in size of the seed holder, which in this comparison is the
pumpkin itself.
Very interesting question.
Mike Stephenson
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