Blocked pollen release prevents fruit formation in the halophyte Elaeagnus angustifolia in non-saline habitats

•Halophyte Elaeagnus angustifolia can’t bear fruits in non-saline soils.•Pollen viability and stigma receptivity were also high in non-saline soils.•No pollen tubes presented in styles after nature pollination in non-saline soils.•Pollen tubes formed in styles after hand pollination in non-saline soils.•No fruits in non-saline soils due to expressional level changes of related genes.