The phase that elapses from pollination to fertilization is marked by an intense male-female interaction. The mechanisms regulating this interaction are underpinned by the long journey that the pollen tube has to travel along the pistil until it reaches the female gamete. Several structures along this pathway interact with the growing male gametophytes, since the pistil, far from being a passive structure to support pollen tube growth, has an active role in regulating this growth. The reasons for this finely tuned interaction have to be sought in the resulting action of this process, the next generation. Here, the main events that occur along the pollen tube journey and how they interact with the pistil are examined. Finally, the possible implications of this interaction in the next generation are evaluated.

Peer reviewed