Author(s): Katja Kempe, Anastassia Boudichevskaia, Robert Jerchel, Dmitri Pescianschi, Renate Schmidt, Martin Kirchhoff, Ralf Schachschneider and Mario Gils
The objective of the present study was to develop a technique for quantifying the dynamics of wheat pollen shed under field conditions. Pollen traps with an adhesive film were used to assess the relative pollen shed of 12 winter wheat lines. Quantitative measurements were performed in 2012 and 2013 over a period of up to 20 days. The amounts of trapped pollen were automatically determined using a customized image analysis program. We demonstrated that this method is suitable for the assessment of wheat pollen shed. The possible impact of the technical advances revealed in this study for the selection of pollinators in routine wheat breeding programs is discussed.
