Pollen influences fruit development

A pitahaya flower receives pollen, while the resulting fruit develops on the maternal plant. After fertilization, seeds contain genetic material from both parents. Peel and other maternally derived tissues may also change their growth rate in relation to pollen source. This influence is called metaxenia. Mizrahi and colleagues examined it in greenhouse crosses of fruiting cacti, recording ripening time alongside fruit mass and composition. [Mizrahi et al. 2004, p. 469–470]

One clone and several pollen sources

The main maternal plant was clone 89-028, reported as Hylocereus polyrhizus. This atlas links the historical name to Selenicereus monacanthus. Plants were five to six years old and grew under 60% shade. Pollen was collected after flowers opened at night and applied to stigmas with a brush in the morning. Stigmas were then covered to prevent additional pollination. Fruits were harvested several days after attaining full colour. This design linked a particular pollen source to subsequent fruit development. [Mizrahi et al. 2004, p. 469–470; POWO, rekord 77163180-1][2-WWW]

Differences in ripening days and fruit mass

In Table 1, fruit receiving pollen from the Hylocereus group ripened after a mean of 31.4 days, compared with 36.1 days for Selenicereus grandiflorus pollen. The difference between these means was 4.7 days. S. megalanthus pollen was associated with a mean of 51.0 days. The numbers of assessed fruits were 66, 38 and 4 respectively. The small sample in the last treatment remains part of the interpretation. Mean fruit masses in the same comparison were 370.4 g, 470.4 g and 224.3 g. [Mizrahi et al. 2004, p. 471, tabela 1]

Seeds and possible developmental signals

Fruit tissues and developing seeds form an interacting system. The authors considered seed-derived hormonal signals as a possible route through which pollen could affect maternal tissues. The experiment itself documented fruit and seed traits, while detailed hormone transport was not measured. Selenicereus megalanthus pollen yielded fewer seeds and smaller fruit in the tested combination. The authors related this to reduced pollen viability described in cytological studies. The relationship between ripening time and pollen source may therefore involve several reproductive processes. [Mizrahi et al. 2004, p. 470–472; Lichtenzveig i wsp. 2000 p. 1058–1065][Lichtenzveig et al. 2000, p. 470–472; Lichtenzveig i wsp. 2000 p. 1058–1065]

Implications for breeding and harvest

Metaxenia gives breeders an additional trait to evaluate in a pollen partner. Compatibility enables fertilization, while subsequent effects may alter harvest timing and fruit characteristics. In this experiment, different pollen sources brought potential benefits alongside changes in mass or tissue proportions. Spreading harvest over time was proposed as a practical application. Confirmation requires a particular cultivar, consistency across seasons and assessment of fruit quality. A broader breeding programme relates reproductive traits to yield, flavour and keeping quality. [Mizrahi et al. 2004, Mizrahi i wsp. p. 471–472; Tel-Zur 2022 p. 2–11][Tel-Zur 2022, Mizrahi i wsp. p. 471–472; Tel-Zur 2022 p. 2–11]

Basis of the account
[2-WWW]Source website

Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

https://powo.science.kew.org/

Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.

Accessed 2026-10-08.