Scots pine does not have capacity to prevent self-pollination and self-fertilization and it suffers from the inbreeding depression. Self-fertilized embryos die young and a small fraction survives to maturity. Scots pine life-history traits can compensate for inbreeding depression. In polyzygotic polyembyony a seed produces several genetically identical egg cells, which can be fertilized by different fathers. The seed harbors embryos with different fathers, and a mixture of self- and cross-fertilized offspring. The mature seed contains single viable embryo. We study the genetic and evolutionary basis of polyembryony. Does polyembryony protect Scots pine from the adverse effects of inbreeding? Do embryos compete? The phenomenon is interesting because flowering angiosperm plants do not have polyembryony, but it is common among e.g., conifers, horsetails and ferns. The study has practical implications in the optimization and quality improvement of commercial seed production and nurseries.

2022

2026