The additional stamens of flo10-1 mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana are compromised in production and viability of pollen
flo10-1 (superman-2) is a floral mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana that normally produces female sterile flowers. This phenotypic aberration results from a combination of increased stamen number and reduced or abnormal carpels that are nonfunctional. The flowers of flo10-1 contain two lateral and four median stamens, as seen in wild-type plants; however, they also contain several additional stamens. All stamen types have been examined with respect to frequency and location within the flower. The amount of pollen produced from each of the three types of stamens of flo10-1 and the viability of this pollen were also examined and compared with wild-type (cv. Columbia) to determine the consequences of this mutation on male fertility. Both the lateral and median stamens of flo10-1 and wild-type plants produced similar amounts of pollen per stamen and demonstrated no significant difference in viability. Per stamen, the additionals of flo10-1 produced significantly less pollen than those of the laterals and medians. Furthermore, the pollen produced from these additional stamens was significantly less viable. Although less abundant and viable, pollen produced by additional stamens can effectively fertilize ovules, producing normal, healthy plants.Key words: pollen (viability, production), stamen, male fertility, flower development, Arabidopsis thaliana, flo10-1.