Evidence for postmeiotic genetic activity in pollen of Cucurbita species

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Abstract
Investigation of postmeiotic expression of genes in pollen has been complicated by the reduced size and morphology of this developmental stage. This has necessitated the application of either colorimetric tests to pollen physiology or polygenic analyses of pollen tube growth rates.The first of these is of limited applicability and the second is cumbersome. In the present paper we demonstrate the application of microelectrophoresis to single pollen grains of Cucurbita species, thus providing direct examination of gametophytic gene products. The system promises to be of relatively widespread applicability and is technically straightforward.