Jasmonic Acid and Methyl Jasmonate in Pollens and Anthers of Three <italic>Camellia</italic> Species

Abstract

Jasmonic acid (JA), which showed a nontoxic inhibitory effect on pollen germination in Camellia sinensis, was identified in pollens and anthers of C. sinensis, C. japonica and C. sasanqua together with its methyl ester (JA-Me); the possibility that JA is an endogenous pollen germination regulator is suggested. As JA-Me showed no effect on pollen germination, it may be form of JA inactive in pollen germination regulation.