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Dispersal distance of rice (Oryza Sativa L.) pollen at the Tana River delta in the coast province, Kenya
Abstract
increasing distance from the pollen source up to 250 m, no pollen was found at 300 m. There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference in pollen dispersal in different directions, which correlated with the prevailing wind direction (south, occasionally east). Effect on wind speed and humidity could not be evaluated as they were relatively stable during the sampling period. No overall difference (P > 0.05) in pollen count between upper and lower pollen traps. The highest daily pollen count was observed between 11:00 am and 12:00 noon, and at a narrow range of temperatures 28 ± 2ºC. On the basis of these data, an adequate isolation distance of more than 250 m should be considered to minimize chances of gene flow from transgenic rice to conventional or wild rices.