miR845 is a highly conserved microRNA in plants that targets the tRNAMet primer-binding site of long terminal repeat retrotransposons in Arabidopsis pollen. This triggers the accumulation of 21-22 nucleotide small interfering RNAs in a dosage-dependent manner via RNA polymerase IV. These epigenetically activated small interfering RNAs mediate hybridization barriers between diploid seed parents and tetraploid pollen parents, allowing the formation of triploid seeds. Targeting of the primer-binding site with small RNA is a common mechanism for transposon control in mammals and plants, and provides a sensitive means to monitor chromosome dosage and imprinting in the developing seed.