Stigmatic Exudate: A Potential Carrier of Exogenous Substances into the Style of Lilium longiflorum Thunb.1

Abstract

The exudate produced on the stigma of mature flowers of L. longiflorum Thunb. did not adversely affect pollen tube growth or the self-compatibility reaction when injected into lily styles before, 6, or 12 hr after pollination. Stigmatic exudate diluted with an equal volume of distilled water before addition to the style had no effect on pollen tube growth when injection occurred before or 6 hr after pollination. Although injection of exudate alone 24 hr after pollination or injection of diluted exudate 12 or 24 hr after pollination retarded pollen tube growth, the addition of exudate or diluted exudate did not obscure the self-incompatibility reaction. Stigmatic exudate appears to be an excellent milieu in which to carry exogenous materials into the environment of pollen tubes of L. longiflorum growing in vivo.