Discrete element simulation of buzz pollination in tomato.

Buzz pollination is essential for plants which have poricidal anther dehiscence, such as tomato. Due to the lack of microscopic level observations and precise analyses of the buzz pollination process, the mechanism of tomato pollen ejection during buzz pollination is unclear. In this study, Micro-CT imaging was used to measure the internal structure and size of tomato flowers. Then, a discrete element simulation 3D model of a standardized tomato flower was constructed. Finally, the process of collision and adhesion between pollen grains during buzz pollination was directly solved by numerical calculations. By comparing and analyzing with existing research results, a discrete element simulation of buzz pollination was developed. This study provides an intuitive, feasible, simple yet efficient research method for buzz pollination, which is helpful to understand and explore the mechanism of pollen ejection from pored anthers during mechanical or natural bee-induced vibrations.