Pollen Morphology and Pollen Elemental Composition of Selected Philippine Native Gingers in Tribe Alpinieae (Alpinioideae: Zingiberaceae)

Author: Florfe M. Acma, and Noe P. Mendez, *

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Abstract

The pollen morphology and pollen elemental composition of the selected Philippine native gingers in tribe Alpinieae (Alpinioideae: Zingiberaceae) viz., Amomum muricarpum Elm., Etlingera dalican (Elmer) A.D.Poulsen, E. philippinensis (Ridl.) R.M.Sm. and Hornstedtia conoidea Ridl. are not completely determined as well as their impacts in the pollen germination and pollen tube growth. In this study, the analyses were performed by light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectrometry to better understand their pollen surfaces and pollen elemental composition. Data revealed that the pollen sizes of A. muricarpum measured 45-80µm, E. dalican measured 65-75µm, E. philippinensis measured 60-65µm while H. conoidea measured 50-90µm. The four native species possess spheroidal shape and inaperturate pollen. However, pollen color of A. muricarpum and H. conoidea were yellowish-brown, while green to greenish-yellow for E. dalican and greenish fo

Keywords

Amomum muricarpum, Etlingera dalican, Etlingera philippinensis, Hornstedtia conoidea, Philippine endemic

Conclusion

This study revealed that among the examined pollen, H. conoidea showed to have the biggest pollen, followed by A. muricarpum, E. dalican and E. philippinensis, respectively. The selected Philippine native gingers possess spheroidal shape pollen and are inaperturate. However, pollen color of A. muricarpum and H. conoidea appeared yellowish-brown, green to greenish-yellow for E. dalican and greenish for E. philippinensis. Ornamentation or exine sculpture of A. muricarpum is echinate, E. dalican is gemmate while E. philippinensis and H. conoidea is psilate. A greater proportion of K+ and S2- were observed in the pollen of the four native gingers amongst other detected elements by EDX which can enhance the rate of germination and tube growth of pollen. It is recommended, however, that further studies be conducted on other species of Zingiberaceae specifically in subfamily Alpinioideae. There is also a need to test the germination rate and measure the tube growth of the pollen of four spe

References

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How to cite this article

Florfe M. Acma, and Noe P. Mendez1, (2018). Pollen Morphology and Pollen Elemental Composition of Selected Philippine Native Gingers in Tribe Alpinieae (Alpinioideae: Zingiberaceae) Biological Forum – An International Journal 10(1): 01-10.