The mentor pollen phenomenon in poplars: a new concept.

The mentor effect has been investigated in poplars. Attempts to overcome interspecific incompatibility are analysed by pollen germination and pollen tube behaviour in situ, both for compatible and incompatible crosses. We have demonstrated that following the mixed pollination, the two pollen sets interact at different levels of the progamic phase. A hypothetical model is proposed which describes mentor effect as the result of interactions of antagonist and cynergic forces applying on compatible pollen and tubes. These forces promote pollen tube growth both on the female partner surface and within the tissues.