Transmission of potato spindle tuber viroid by pollen
Experiments in Canada resulted in the detection of potato spindle tuber viroid (EPPO A2 organism) in pollen grains of potato spindle tuber viroid infected potatoes. The viroid was detected by R-PAGE (return polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis).
The pollination of healthy potato flowers with infected pollen grains led to an infection of leaves at the base of the flower, apical leaves and tubers. True potato seed was infected by the viroid up to 66%.
Sources
Singh, R.P.; Boucher, A.; Somerville, T.H. (1992) Detection of potato spindle tuber viroid in the pollen and various parts of potato plants pollinated with viroid-infected pollen.
Plant Disease 76, 951-953.