Investigation of pollination system and self-incompatibility in two species of Satureja sahendica and S. bachtiarica

Awareness of the pollination system and the amount of self-incompatibility of plant species is the first step in choosing appropriate breeding method. This study was carried out to determine the rate of self-incompatibility and the amount of self and cross pollination of Satureja sahendica and S.bachtiarica. For this purpose, paper bags were used for self-pollination treatments, while in control treatment, flowers were allowed to receive pollens from other genotypes. The pollens viability and stigma receptivity were also determined. Flower morphology such as flower length, calyx length, corolla length, anther length, style length, peduncle length, reproductive leaf height, position of anthers relative to each other, position of style relative to stigma, the number of pollen and ovule were determined. Self-incompatibility indices in S. bachtiarica and S. sahendica were 96 and 79%, respectively. The results of this study indicated that the amount of self and cross pollination could be a promising way to produce hybrid seeds through inter and intera species breeding. Practical results of this study that can be used in domestication and breeding improve varieties of these two mentioned species. In both species anthesis started in the fifth and sixth days after flower opening. At this point, the stigmas are at the peak of acceptance that can be pollinated by pollens for two days having the highest survival rate.