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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2024, Vol. 60 ›› Issue (6): 86-93.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20240006

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Flowering and Pollination Biology of Cultivated Michelia chapensis in Shanghai

Yongli Zhu1(),Jie Zhang2   

  1. 1. Shanghai Business School Shanghai 201400
    2. Shanghai Botanical Garden Shanghai 200231
  • Received:2024-01-03 Online:2024-06-25 Published:2024-07-16

Abstract:

Objective: With the rare ornamental tree species Michelia chapensis in southern China as research material, this study aims to investigate the flowering and pollination biology under ex situ protection, and provide technical guidance for effective protection and hybrid breeding. Method: Floral morphology and flowering process were observed, pollen viability was measured by TTC method, and the acceptability of stigma was determined by benzidine-hydrogen peroxide. The type of M. chapensis breeding system was analyzed based on the estimated utcrossing index (OCI) and pollen-ovule ratio (P/O), as well as the results of artificial pollination and pollination media observation. Result: The flowering period of M. chapensis was from mid-late March to early and mid April, with the single flowering period for 7–12 days, and the single flowers exhibited a phenomenon of two-time opening-closure flowering. The opening time of individual plant lasted about 6–20 days. M. chapensis showed dichogamy and protogyny in its flowering process, the stigma had the strongest receptivity on the day of flowering, and the pollen had the strongest vitality in the second day of flowering. The outcrossing index was 4 and its pollen-ovule ratio was 557.18±46.23. The artificial pollination revealed the autonomous self-pollination phenomenon did not exist and had no apomixis phenomenon. The fruit-setting rate of artificial pollination was significantly higher than that of natural pollination. The breeding system was facultative outcrossing with partial self-compatibility, and required pollinators in the pollination process. Conclusion: M. chapensis has the characteristic of insect pollination according to the morphology and flowering dynamics. Its two-time opening-closure flowering phenomenon separates the maturity time of the female from male stamens, which ensures its cross pollination. The pollination process requires a pollinator.

Key words: Michelia chapensis, flowering biology, dichogamy, reproductive system

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