Pollen Behavior of Andromonoecious Flowers of wild Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in North – Western Himalayas

Author: Jyoti Dhiman*, Tara Gupta and R.K. Gupta

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Abstract

The research was carried out at two sites viz; Tatool (S1) district Solan, Narag (S2) district Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh. The major challenge of the presented study was that this species consists of three types of flowers and pollen viability should be measured of male and hermaphrodite flowers separately. In this study, three types of flowers viz; male, intermediate, and hermaphrodite were observed in wild pomegranate. Two-way ANOVA and the factorial experimental design were used for analysis. Percentage of hermaphrodite flowers founded maximum 50.66 % at Tatool and 52% at Narag. Pollen viability of freshly dehisced pollen grains of hermaphrodite and male flowers was examined in 2% acetocarmine solution and the highest mean value observed for hermaphrodite flowers was 85.98 % and 84.02 % among both the sites and in all genotypes respectively. The significant results were obtained for pollen viability in selected genotypes and their interaction site × tree, tree × concentration, site

Keywords

pollen viability, acetocarmine, pomegranate, andromonoecious flower.

Conclusion

Fruit set and quality production effected by the proportion of fertile flowers (hermaphrodites), pollen viability, and pollen germination. When we collect pollen from hermaphroditic flowers for pollination, it increases the success rate of reproduction. Since very few studies have been conducted on wild pomegranate, it can be used by the breeder as a guide for the development of disease-resistant cultivated pomegranate hybrids and productive strains of wild access. We observed the maximum percentage of hermaphrodite flowers at both selected locations. Pollen viability was observed highest for hermaphrodite flowers than for male flowers among all selected trees and between both the sites. These selected locations can be used as a seed and pollen source by researchers for future research and by farmers to increase anardana production.

References

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How to cite this article

Dhiman, J., Gupta, T. and Gupta, R.K. (2021). Pollen Behavior of Andromonoecious Flowers of wild Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in North – Western Himalayas. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(3a): 523-527.