Rain effect on pollen–stigma adhesion and fertilization in almond

The fact that rainy weather negatively affects production in almond is well-known by growers. However, as far as we know, no previous study has been carried out in this species to determine if the rain is able to wash off pollen grains from the stigma surface and consequently affect fertilization efficiency. To answer this question, flowers of the self-compatible almond cultivar ‘Antoñeta’ were emasculated on branches of trees in the field, pollinated by hand with pollen of the cultivar ‘Marcona’, and sprayed with water to simulate the rain effect at 4, 8, 24 and 48 h after pollination. A control for which no treatment was applied was also included in the assay. Seven days after spraying the flowers, the number of germinated pollen grains on the stigma was recorded in 10 pistils for each treatment by fluorescent microscopic observation. In addition, for each treatment the initial and final fruit set were determined at 30 and 60 days after pollination, respectively. The following year additional assays were performed in the field and in the laboratory in order to complete the study with earlier treatment times. Thus, an assay of rain simulation in the field at 0 and 2 h, and other consisting on immersing a branch with flowers and shaking it in a water container in the laboratory at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min after pollination were performed. One sample more was immersed, shaken, then pollinated and again immersed and shaken. The results from field assays showed that adhesion of pollen grains to the stigma was very quick and strong, and the treatments did not significantly affect pollen–stigma adhesion and subsequent fruit set. On the other hand, laboratory results showed that all washing treatments decreased the number of germinated pollen grains on the stigma, mainly when the flowers were immersed before pollination. In conclusion, the results showed that the simulated rain was not able to completely wash off pollen grains from the stigma surface, although it seems to affect adhesion in forthcoming pollinations.     

Year and enclosure effects on fruit set in an autogamous almond

Fruit set was studied over 2 years in ‘Guara’, an autogamous almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) cultivar, following four different pollination treatments: open pollination, open pollination of a reduced number of flowers, self-pollination, and cross-pollination with a cross-compatible pollen. The treatments were applied to trees growing in the open air, to a tree inside an insect-proof cage, and to bagged branches in the open air. Fruit sets inside the cage were in general lower than at the open air, thus pointing to the possibility that a reduction of the light intensity inside the cage may reduce the level of fruit set. However, artificial pollinations resulted in higher sets inside the cage than in the open air in one of the years. Fruit sets on bagged branches after artificial pollinations were always lower than for the open air and inside the cage, showing that besides a general enclosure effect, as observed inside the cage, a bag effect is responsible for the reduction of sets, possibly due to the branch manipulation and flower damage by the bag. The reduction of the number of flowers did not always result in an increase in set of the remaining flowers. There were no consistent differences between the two types of artificial pollination, confirming ‘Guara’ self-compatibility. Year effects were observed, but not affecting all the treatments in the same direction nor at the same level, thus stressing the need for multiyear evaluation of autogamy.     

Pollen tube growth in styles of apple and almond flowers after spraying with pesticides

Summary

The timing of fungicide and antibiotic applications in fruit crops often overlaps flowering and pollination. Numerous studies report detrimental effects of chemical applications on pollination, fruit set and yield. However, field results can be quite variable even when similar compounds are tested on the same crop. Problematic is that field variables unrelated to the effects of pesticides on reproductive activities can mask results. In the current study, we specifically investigated the effects of selected pesticide sprays applied to stigmas, on subsequent pollen germination and tube growth. Using two model systems, apple and almond, sprays were applied to detached emasculated flowers under constant laboratory conditions using an electronically controlled robotic apparatus which simulated a field sprayer. flowers were pollinated at specific times after spraying, and pollen tube numbers and growth assessed using fluorescence microscopy. The pesticides evaluated were for apple: captan, myclobutanil and streptomycin; and for almond: azoxystrobin, myclobutanil, iprodione and cyprodinil. In apple, captan significantly reduced pollen germination, by 20% compared with water controls when pollination was conducted 18 h after treatment. The number of tubes that reached the basal part of the style within 20 h was not affected. In contrast, myclobutanil and streptomycin had no significant effect on pollen tube growth. With almond, none of the sprays significantly affected pollen germination or tube growth.     

Gametophytic self-incompatibility causes seedlessness in ‘Kagzi Kalan’ lemon (Citrus limon)

The present study aimed to study the flower and pollen structure, pollen viability, in vitro pollen germination of ‘Kagzi Kalan’ lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck), and in vivo pollen tube growth in self- and cross pollination to understand the mechanism of seedlessness. The results revealed that Kagzi Kalan had tetra-colporate spherical shaped pollen of uniform size. The results of Acetocarmine and FDA test and in vitro germination indicated normal pollen viability and germinability in Kagzi Kalan. In vivo pollen tube growth showed > 50% pollen germination on stigma in all treatments though a greater number of pollen tubes at the mid style, base of the style, and near the ovule was found in cross pollination. Contrary to this, despite optimum pollen germination (53.51–70.37%) in self-pollination treatments, none of the pollen tubes reached the base of the style due to abnormal growth of pollen tubes, viz. curvatures, inhibition of pollen tube growth, and callose deposition. The inhibition of pollen tubes at the mid style under self-pollination treatments, and production of seeded fruits under cross pollination treatments, indicate the presence of self-incompatibility and the site of inhibition of pollen tubes. Thus, gametophytic self-incompatibility (SI) caused seedlessness in Kagzi Kalan by blocking fertilization in the ovary.     

Fruit set evaluation for self-compatibility selection in almond

Self-compatibility was assessed in 19 almond selections by genetic and physiological means, such as PCR with specific primers for the S_f allele, pollen tube growth, and fruit set after self-pollination and in bagged branches. Although all genotypes possessed the S_f allele and showed a similar pollen tube growth after self-pollination than after cross-pollination with cross-compatible pollen, fruit sets showed a different behaviour between years, ranging from 16.2 to 24.7%, as well as between treatments, with the highest after self-pollination. The differences between genotypes could be due to the genetic constitution of each genotype, where inbreeding may reduce set by the accumulation of deleterious genes in different members of a progeny. Flower morphology may also affect sets in bagged branches. Thus, in addition to bud density, flower sterility, pollination success and environmental conditions, other traits must be taken into account when evaluating yield in self-compatible almond cultivars, such as the inbreeding effect and the effective autonomous self-pollination.     

Pollen germination as affected by pollen age in cherimoya

Cherimoya (Annona cherimola (Mill.)) is a subtropical fruit tree, which is cultivated in a good range of subtropical regions. In most of these areas the crop relies on hand pollination. However, following this practice, erratic fruit set is often produced, which could be related to problems in pollen handling. Indeed, very little is known of the time that the pollen remains viable and on which is the best stage to collect the anthers or pollen from the flower. The aim of this work is to evaluate pollen germinability prior and after anther dehiscence and also how the age of pollen affects pollen vigor, understood as speed of germination. Pollen samples at different times following anther dehiscence were germinated in vitro and in vivo. Pollen up to 90 min following dehiscence performed as well as freshly dehisced pollen. However, the pollen taken 120 min following dehiscence, showed a clear reduction in vigor and germinated much slower in vivo. To overcome this short pollen germinability, pollen was taken from anthers 30 and 5 h prior to natural anther dehiscence and compared with pollen taken at anther dehiscence and 20 h later. However, a reduction in germination rate was obtained in pollen taken prior to anther dehiscence. The narrow stage at which pollen can be collected together to its ephemeral germinability explains erratic results obtained following hand pollination in this crop and these results provide the clues for an adequate pollen handling.     

甘菊与栽培菊‘金陵黄玉’种间杂交失败的原因

 二倍体野菊与栽培菊种间杂交常不能结实, 从而严重影响了野菊优异基因的利用, 为了揭示其原因, 以栽培菊(Dendranthema grandiflorum) ‘金陵黄玉’为母本, 二倍体野生菊甘菊(D. lavandulifolium ) 为父本, 开展了种间杂交, 测定了父本花粉活力, 研究了授粉后花粉在柱头萌发行为及胚胎发育情况等。结果发现, 父本甘菊的花粉活力在授粉时为11.2% , 人工授粉4 h内未观察到柱头上有花粉萌发;授粉后8 h时平均每个柱头上只有7.5粒花粉萌发; 到授粉后12 h时数量达到最多, 为16.1粒; 随后数量急剧下降, 到24和48 h时柱头萌发花粉数量分别只有3.2粒和2.4粒, 且大部分花粉管生长异常并停留在柱头表面。此外, 在授粉8 d后观察到12.0%子房中含有正常的球形胚, 但之后就未观察到正常胚胎, 最终未获得杂交种子, 而母本自然开放结实率高达42.3%。以上结果表明, 受精前、后的生殖障碍, 即母本柱头上花粉萌发数量少且萌发异常和受精后胚胎大量败育, 是引起种间杂交不结实的主要原因。     

Effects of genotype and stigma development stage on seed set following intra- and inter-specific hybridization of Dianthus spp.

The caryophyllaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the pink or carnation family. Members of this family are widely grown as ornamental plants. The species Dianthus chinensis, Dianthus barbatus, and Dianthus superbus include notable examples of such ornamental varieties. Intra- and inter-specific hybridization is important for the breeding of improved varieties and, therefore, it is desirable to optimize the efficiency of cross-pollination procedures within this family. Here, we conducted intra-specific pollination using four lines of D. chinensis, and inter-specific pollination between D. chinensis, D. barbatus and D. superbus genotypes. For each of these crosses we recorded information of pollen viability, stigma development stage at time of pollination, pollen germination on the stigma surface and pollen tube elongation within the stigma, and final seed set. Pollen viability levels were determined at the start of anther dehiscence, which occurred on day 1 of flower opening. The genotypes D. chinensis var. ‘Bz2’, D. barbatus var. ‘Xb’, and D. superbus wild species ‘Qm’ all displayed good levels of pollen viability (i.e. between 68% and 75%); D. chinensis vars. ‘H58III’, ‘H68I’ and ‘H6II’ showed lower levels of pollen viability (i.e. between 32% and 51%). In each Dianthus line, the stigma organs were observed to undergo morphological changes during the 1–7 d following flower opening. We have characterized these changes as five distinct development stages, namely, ‘column’ (day 1), ‘Y-like’ (day 2), ‘Y-shaped with slight curve’ (days 3–4), ‘Y-shaped horn-like’ (days 5–6), and ‘wilting’ (day 7). Pollen was artificially applied to stigma organs at each of these development stages and aniline blue staining was used to follow pollen tube germination on the stigma surface and pollen tube elongation down the length of the stigma. This showed that the ‘Y-shaped slightly curved’ stigma stage (3–4 d) was optimal for pollination. The ‘Y-shaped horn-like’ stage (5–6 d) was also receptive to pollination. By contrast, the earlier ‘Y-shaped’ (2 d) and ‘column’ (1 d) stages, and also the later ‘wilting’ (7 d) stage, were far less receptive. Parallel field experiments were conducted in which seed set was measured following the artificial pollination of flowers at different development stages. These data also indicated that the optimal time for pollination was during 3–4 d of flower opening. This conclusion held true for both intra- and inter-specific crosses of the various Dianthus lines. Thus, stigma receptivity in Dianthus does not become optimal until 3–4 d after flower opening. Since anther dehiscence occurs at 1 d (i.e. when stigma are at the unreceptive ‘column’ stage), this suggests that Dianthus employs a delayed self-fertilization strategy. We also found a significant effect of genotype on pollen tube growth and seed-set values. The highest numbers of seed per flower were achieved when the D. superbus wild species ‘Qm’ was the female parent in inter-specific crosses. Thus, genotype and stigma development are identified as key factors that determine the success of cross-pollination in Dianthus lines.     

Effects of pollen-load on fruit yield,seed production and germination in melons,cucumbers and squash

Summary

Four cultivars of each of three cucurbit species were used to examine the effects of pollen-load (i.e., the number of pollen grains deposited on the stigma of pistillate flowers) on fruit-set, seed-set, and germinability (i.e., germination percentage and germination rate) in four greenhouse experiments. Increasing pollen-load increased the number of fruit per plant in the four melon cultivars over two growing seasons, and in two non-parthenocarpic cucumbers, but had no effect on all four squash cultivars. In most cases, increasing pollen-load increased the number of fully-developed seeds, decreased the percentage of empty seeds, and tended to decrease mean seed weights. On average, melons produced 2.2 fruits per plant in the Winter, and only 0.9 fruits per plant in the Autumn. In contrast, melons produced 275 fully-developed seeds per fruit in the Autumn, but only 57 seeds in the Winter. Mean melon seed weight was higher in Autumn, and the sum of all seed yield component effects resulted a significantly higher seed yield per plant in the Autumn. Germinability of melon seeds from the Autumn season, and of squash seeds from the Winter season, were not significantly affected by pollen-load treatment. These data are contrary to the theory that microgametophyte competition has a positive effect on the vigour of the progeny. The lower germinability of melon seeds obtained by passive pollination (i.e., self-pollination in covered flowers) may be due to the fact that pollination without insect or human interference yielded only a few seeds per fruit, and, under such circumstances, there may be a survival advantage for slow and distributed germination.     

Effective pollination period in durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) and the factors regulating it

The effective pollination period (EPP) of durian was determined by both delayed and bud pollination, during which reproductive factors affecting the EPP, e.g., stigma receptivity, pollen tube growth in the style, and ovule longevity were studied histologically. This study was conducted in three distinct locations in Thailand, namely, the Chantaburi Horticultural Research Center and two private orchards in Chantaburi and Trat provinces. Results from artificial pollination revealed that at anthesis, the durian flower is receptive and has a high fruit set ratio. A mean fruit set of 50% was obtained at anthesis in the private orchard in Chantaburi province. However, the EPP of durian was found to be very short, lasting for only one night; the fruit set from pollination on the morning after anthesis ranged from 0% to 3.4%. No fruit set occurred following pollination 24 or more hours after anthesis. When compared with the flowers of other fruit species, the durian flower has a unique feature in that it blooms overnight; the following morning, there is abscission of all parts of the flower, except the gynoecium. Thus, EPP appears to be synchronized with flower longevity. On the other hand, the durian flower was receptive several hours before anthesis. The results of chemical tests, including the hydrogen peroxide test and Perex-Test^®, for the evaluation of stigma receptivity appeared to be in agreement with the EPP. However, fluorescent microscopy revealed that pollen could germinate even in the stigmas pollinated 48 h after anthesis, but the number of pollen tubes at the top of the style rapidly decreased from 34.6 (at anthesis) to 0.5 (48 h after anthesis). A correlation test demonstrated a higher correlation coefficient between the fruit set and the number of pollen than that between the fruit set and the result of Perex-Test^®. This indicated that pollen tube penetration or elongation in the style was inhibited, probably due to the deterioration of nutritional support from the pistil to the pollen tubes; this can be a limiting factor of the EPP in durian.     

白及的花部特征与繁育系统

 通过野外观察、授粉特性分析、杂交指数估算及人工控制授粉试验等方法对白及野生居群的花部特征和繁育系统进行了研究。结果表明：在自然条件下,白及4-5月开花,群体花期约44 d,群体盛花期约12 d,集中在4月29日-5月10日,单株花期11 ~ 27 d,单花花期6 ~ 8 d。总状花序上具两性花3 ~ 11朵。在花朵开放的整个过程中,花药始终高于柱头且两者之间存在隔离。花粉成熟时由粘性物质聚结成团,无法散落至柱头。开花后3 d 内花粉活力和柱头可授性均较高。白及杂交指数为4。无论去雄与否,套袋后的花均不结实,说明其不能进行自然的自花授粉和无融合生殖。白及人工自花授粉、同株异花授粉和异株授粉的结实率分别为93.33%、90.00%和93.33%,自然条件下的结实率为5.26%。花粉成熟时由粘性物质聚结成团和缺乏有效的传粉媒介可能是白及自然条件下结实率低的主要原因。     

Studies on the Nutrition of Tulips and Narcissi

Summary

We explored the effects of pollination method (hand cross-, hand self-, automatic self-, and open-pollination) and pollen source on fruit set and growth in four red-skinned pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) cultivars [‘Vietnam White’ (‘VNWhite’), ‘Chaozhou 5’, ‘Orejona’, and ‘F11’] in Taiwan.‘VN-White’ has white flesh, while the other three cultivars have red flesh. There were no significant differences in pollen viability or germination rate among the four cultivars, irrespective of whether the pollen was collected at night (approx. 20.30 h) or on the following morning (approx. 08.30 h).The results also indicated that ‘VN White’ was fully self-compatible and exhibited a high fruit set percentage (80 - 96%) following all pollination treatments. This cultivar produced the largest fruit from both hand self- and openpollination, compared to the three other cultivars tested. ‘Chaozhou 5’ was partly self-compatible, and ‘Orejona’ and ‘F11’ were completely self-incompatible. Hand cross-pollination significantly increased the fruit set percentages and mean fruit fresh weights (FWs) in ‘Chaozhou 5’ and ‘Orejona’. Pollen source also significantly affected the fruit set percentage and fruit FW. ‘VN-White’ (after self-pollination) and ‘Chaozou 5’ (after crossing with ‘VN-White’) gave superior fruit set percentages and fruit FWs. Reciprocal crosses between ‘Orejona’ and ‘F11’ also resulted in high fruit set percentages as well as large fruit in both cultivars. Therefore, the source of pollen and the method of pollination can affect fruit production in some cultivars of pitaya. Self-compatibility in ‘VN-White’ concurs with the morphology of its flowers in which the anthers lie in close proximity to the stigma.The distance between the anthers and the stigma may be used an indicator of whether hand pollination is necessary for a pitaya cultivar.     

Spray pollination as a labor-saving pollination system in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nakai): Development of the suspension medium

Effects of suspension media used for spray pollination on pollen grain viability were investigated in Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.f.) Nakai ‘Kosui’). The suspension media tested in this study consisted of pectin methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) combined with either 0.1% agar or 0.04% xanthangum (XG). We also evaluated the influences of spray pollination on fruit set and fruit quality. Pollen grain viability, as measured by germination and pollen tube growth rates, was maintained in media supplemented with 0.1 mg L⁻¹ PME or 0.1 mg L⁻¹ PG. The level of fruit set after spray pollination using media containing PME or PG in combination with either 0.1% agar or 0.04% XG was almost the same as the level after artificial pollination by hand (hand pollination). The media containing XG combined with either PME or PG seemed to show better results for pollen grain viability and fruit set, although the results were variable from year to year. With regard to fruit size, shape and other parameters for fruit quality, spray pollination and hand pollination gave comparable results, irrespective of the medium composition. The time required for spray pollination was less than half of that required for hand pollination, and the amount of pollen grain required for spray pollination was one-third or less than the amount required for hand pollination. Thus, spray pollination may be a time- and labor-saving pollination system for the cultivation of Japanese pear.     

小苍兰开花特性与繁育系统研究

综合运用杂交指数、花粉活力及柱头可授性、花粉/胚珠比、人工控制授粉试验等,对小苍兰的花部结构及繁育系统进行研究。结果表明：小苍兰雄蕊和雌蕊空间分离,花药紧贴花柱外侧,低于柱头约2 mm,在花朵开放的整个过程中雌、雄蕊的相对位置不变。小苍兰雌雄异熟现象明显,花药开裂时间与柱头可授期不同步,当花粉活力达到最高值时,柱头可授性还较低。小苍兰杂交指数（OCI）为 5,花粉/胚珠比（P/O）为1 614,人工授粉的坐果率高于自然传粉,由此判断其交配方式是以异交为主,自交为辅,繁育系统为兼性异交。     

Optimal pollination environment of tetraploid ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) evaluated by in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth in styles

Pollen germination percentages in vitro of a tetraploid ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), ‘4×Sanshu’, tended to be highest at around 20°C. Pollen tube growth in the styles was greatly enhanced at 17°C, i.e., pollen tubes penetrated into the entire stylar length in 66.7% of the styles used. Pollen stored for at least 3 h under 40–80% relative humidity (RH) almost completely lost its germinability, whereas pollen incubated for up to 3 h under 100% RH retained a relatively higher germinability. Moreover, the pollen germinability that was lowered under 40–80% RH did not recover when the pollen was re-humidified for 2 h under 100% RH before inoculation onto a medium. When stigmas were pollinated with fresh pollen at 17°C under 100% RH, pollen tubes penetrated into the entire stylar length in 26.7% of the styles tested. Under 40–80% RH, however, pollen tubes stopped growing at the middle or the base of styles. From these results, I concluded that the optimal pollination environment of the tetraploid ginger was at 17–20°C under 100% RH.     

Effect of high temperatures in the pre-blooming and blooming periods on ovule formation,pollen grains and yield of ‘Granada’ peach

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of high temperatures in the pre-blooming and blooming periods on the growth of sexual gametes and yield of ‘Granada’ peach. The experiment was carried out in the commercial orchard of Charqueadas, under the subtropical conditions of the Central Depression at Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (28°57′S; 51°37′W; 30 m alt.). Two treatments were tested: (1) trees in the greenhouse with partial ventilation and (2) trees in the orchard. The phenology, morphologic constitutions of the pollen grains, ovule growth, yield and germination (%) of pollen grains and fruit set were evaluated. High temperatures in the pre-blooming and blooming periods anticipated the break of dormancy and blooming. These conditions also delayed the female gametophytes (embryo sac) and promoted anomalies in the formation of male gametophytes. Those factors promoted low pollen viability and a lack of synchrony in fertilization, thereby generating low fruit set percentages and yield.     

Effect of pistil age and pollen parent on pollen tube growth and fruit production of pistachio

Female pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees were hand pollinated with pollen from three different male genotypes 0,1,2,3 and 4 d after anthesis. Results were measured by mature fruit set and by fluorescence microscopy of pollen germination and tube growth in the pistil. Maximum pollen tube growth and fruit set of split nuts was achieved following pollination within two days of anthesis. Three day old pistils supported pollen tube growth, but fruit set was low. Four day old pistils supported little pollen tube growth or fruit set. Significant differences were also apparent between pollen parents, with low pollen tube growth and fruit set following interspecific pollination with P. atlantica pollen. All pollen tubes were observed to penetrate chalazogamously, and parthenocarpic production of blank fruits occurred in both unpollinated and pollinated treatments. The results indicate that for optimum fruit production of pistachio, pollen transfer must be achieved within 2 d of anthesis and pollination by P. atlantica should be avoided.     

Mentor pollen effect on the in-vivo germination of self-incompatible apple pollen

Investigations were carried out to ascertain to what extent “mentor pollen” can influence the performance of self pollen in apple styles. Self-incompatible ‘Starkrimson’ flowers on branches, placed at room temperature or in a growth chamber, were (1) self-pollinated, (2) cross-pollinated with compatible untreated or (3) irradiated (150 krad) ‘Golden Delicious’ pollen, or (4) pollinated with a mixture (2:1 w/w) of irradiated (mentor) pollen and self pollen. After 18 h, nearly the same proportion (> 90%) of the self-incompatible pollen had germinated on the stigma and penetrated the apical part of the style as compatible pollen. However, subsequent growth of the self-pollen tubes was inhibited. After 48 h, less than 1% had reached the stylar base as compared with 21–24% of the compatible pollen tubes. Irradiation strongly impaired pollen vitality: only 1% of the tubes had reached the base of the style after 48 h. The mixture of the irradiated mentor pollen and self pollen performed better. In this case, 6.4–9.9% of the tubes was observed in the basal part of the style, inferring that tube growth of the self pollen was significantly promoted by the mentor pollen.     

Fruit set and quality of loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) as effected by pollinations under sub-humid Mediterranean

A field experiment was conducted during 2005 and 2006 growing seasons at Ras Munif (32°22′N, 35°45′E), Ajloun, Jordan, to evaluate different pollination treatments and their effects on fruit set and quality of loquat fruit grown under Mediterranean conditions. Open, supplemental, rain, and covered pollination treatments were imposed on the selected trees. Results showed that under supplemental and open-pollination, extremely higher fruit set was obtained compared with rain and covered treatments. In spite of a heavy crop load, fruits obtained under open and supplemental pollination were also heavier and larger, this could be partly due to a significant increase in seeds and flesh weight. Sugar content was good for both open and supplemental pollination. Wind plays little or no role in loquat pollination process. Loquat flowers attracted very limited number of bee visitors, A. mellifera, Anthophora albigena and Xylocopa violocea of family Apidae and Halictus quadricinctus of family Halictidae were recorded the only loquat flower visitors. They showed a variation in their visiting time but loquat flowers attracted the highest rate and number during the mid of the day.     

牛角瓜花部综合特征与繁育系统

野外调查发现,牛角瓜（Calotropis gigantean）的自然坐果率较低,影响了利用其种子纤维的开发前景。研究了牛角瓜的传粉生物学,观察了云南元江牛角瓜居群的开花进程、花部特征和访花昆虫,检测了其花粉活力与柱头可授性,并对其进行了人工授粉辅助试验。结果表明：（1）牛角瓜花为聚伞形花序,花冠蓝紫色,花期全年,单花花期7 ~ 8 d,在开花整个过程中花粉一直保持较强活力且柱头具有可授性,花药一直低于柱头,由蜡质薄膜包裹的花粉粒形成花粉块,无法散落至柱头,花药和柱头间存在空间隔离。（2）牛角瓜的杂交指数为4,说明其繁育系统以异交为主,部分自交亲和,需要传粉者。（3）人工授粉试验显示,牛角瓜不能在柱头表面完成授粉,而是在柱头腔中,且存在一定的传粉限制;没有自发的自花传粉现象,在自然条件下也没有无融合生殖现象,人工异株授粉结实率比自花授粉结实率高。（4）昆虫借助足部特殊结构将花粉块移出并将花粉块通过花药裂口插入柱头腔中以完成授粉;牛角瓜访花昆虫共有10余种,传粉昆虫主要有膜翅目的黑小蜜蜂、圆柄木蜂和木蜂。花粉限制是牛角瓜坐果率低的主要原因,可通过放养传粉昆虫来提高牛角瓜的坐果率,从而增加其种毛纤维的产量。