Anti-inbreeding trick found in poppy genome

摘要

Scientists have identified an elusive male gene in the field poppy that stops self-fertilisation, a mechanism that prevents inbreeding, and promotes greater genetic diversity. Plant biologists had already uncovered that poppies prevent self-fertilisation when a female gene on the stigma tells it which pollen to accept or reject, trig- gering several chemical signals to stop pollen tube growth.