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 normal ly produces female sterile flowers. This phenotypic aberration results from a combination of increased stamen number and reduced or abnormal carpels t hat are nonfunctional. The flowers of flo10-1 contain two lateral and four median stamens, as seen in wild-type plants; however, they also contain sev eral additional stamens. All stamen types have been examined with respect t o frequency and location within the flower. The amount of pollen produced f rom 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 de termine the consequences of this mutation on male fertility. Both the later al and median stamens of po10-1 and wild-type plants produced similar amoun ts of pollen per stamen and demonstrated no significant difference in viabi lity. Per stamen, the additionals of flo10-1 produced significantly less po llen than those of the laterals and medians. Furthermore, the pollen produc ed from these additional stamens was significantly less viable. Although le ss abundant and viable, pollen produced by additional stamens can effective ly fertilize ovules, producing normal, healthy plants.