Reproductive development response to high daytime temperature in field pea

Flowering plants are highly sensitive to heat stress during reproductive phase, which covers development from floral initiation to seed maturity. The objectives of this study were to diagnose high temperature effects on pollen production and morphology, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pollen grains and ovules in pea cultivar "CDC Golden." This study also investigated timing and duration of heat exposure at specific developmental stages of floral buds, open flowers and early set pods on flower and pod abortion, seed development and seed yield in "CDC Golden" and a second cultivar "CDC Sage." The experiments were conducted in growth chambers with two temperature regimes (24/18 degrees C and 35/18 degrees C day/night temperature for 4-14 days) during reproductive development. Heat stress reduced the number of pollen grains per anther, induced smaller pollen grains and increased ROS production in pollen grains, but it did not affect ROS accumulation in ovules and ovule number per ovary. Heat exposure when young floral buds were visible at the first reproductive node was more detrimental to flower retention, seed set, pod development and seed yield compared to heat exposure started later when flowers at the second reproductive node were fully open.