scholarly journals Are matching patterns of male and female flowers in response to nutrient supply and pollen concentration optimal for fruit and seed growth?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Gao ◽  
Jun Jie Zhai ◽  
Guo Zhu Yu ◽  
Wei Hua Li ◽  
Chang Lian Peng
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Cucumber Plant ◽  
Seed Formation ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Seed Growth ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Nutrient Resources ◽  
Female Flowers

Abstract Background: Changes in the proportions of male and female flowers in monoecious plants in response to external environmental conditions are directly related to the reproductive fitness of plants. The monoecious cucumber plant was used in this study to assess the responses of sex differentiation and the breeding process to nutrient supply and the degree of artificial pollination using pollen solutions of different concentrations. Results: We found that the nutrient supply significantly increased the number of female flowers, although the number of female flowers did not increase with the strength of the pollination. The number of male flowers did not decrease even under the low nutrient concentration; consequently, the matching pattern of male and female flowers reflects the response of plants to nutrients and nutrient resources during flowering stage. Pollination treatment affected the fruit growth, seed set, and fruit yield. However, the number of fruit, fruit set percentage, and total seeds per plant did not increase with the pollination level, although individual fruit weight and seed number in one fruit did increase. Conclusions: It is concluded that the response of cucumber flowering to external factors is direct and instantaneous, and this matching pattern of male and female flowers may not be optimal for fruit development and seed formation. Keywords: Cucumber, Plant fitness, Sex differentiation, Monoecious, Pollen resource

scholarly journals Are patterns of flower differentiation in response to nutrient supply and pollen concentration optimal for fruit and seed growth?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Gao ◽  
Jun Jie Zhai ◽  
Guo Zhu Yu ◽  
Wei Hua Li ◽  
Chang Lian Peng
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Fruit Growth ◽  
Cucumber Plant ◽  
Seed Formation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Female Flowers

Abstract Background Changes in the proportions of male and female flowers in monoecious plants in response to external environmental conditions are directly related to the reproductive fitness of plants. The monoecious cucumber plant was used in this study to assess the responses of sex differentiation and the breeding process to nutrient supply and the degree of artificial pollination using pollen solutions of different concentrations. Results We found that the nutrient supply significantly increased the number of female flowers after pollination, although the number of female flowers did not increase with the concentration of the pollination solution. The number of male flowers did not decrease even under the low nutrient concentration; consequently, the optimal benefits under different nutrient and pollen resources in the environment were maximized when the number of female flowers decreased due to low nutrient levels after pollination. Pollination treatment affected the fruit growth, seed set, and fruit yield. However, the number of fruit, fruit set percentage, and total seeds per plant did not increase with the pollination level, although the fruit weight and seed number in one fruit did increase. The trade-offs for cucumbers associated with flower differentiation with respect to nutrient supply and pollination may not be optimal for fruit growth or seed set. Conclusions It is concluded that the response of plant flowering to external factors is direct and instantaneous, and there may not be an overall and long-term resource allocation for fruit development and seed formation.

scholarly journals The Patterns of Male and Female Flowers in Flowering Stage May Not Be Optimal Resource Allocation for Fruit and Seed Growth

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2819
Author(s):  
Lei Gao ◽  
Guozhu Yu ◽  
Fangyu Hu ◽  
Zhiqi Li ◽  
Weihua Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Flowering Stage ◽  
Optimal Resource Allocation ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Optimal Resource ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Female Flowers

Changes in the proportions of male and female flowers in monoecious plants in response to external environmental conditions are directly related to the reproductive fitness of plants. The monoecious cucumber (Cucumber sativus) plant was used in this study to assess the responses of sex differentiation and the breeding process to nutrient supply and the degree of artificial pollination using pollen solutions of different concentrations. We found that the nutrient supply significantly improved the number of female flowers, while pollination treatments did not obviously increase the number of male flowers. Continuous pollination changed the number of female flowers especially in the later stage of the pollination experiment. Therefore, pollination changed the ratio of male and female flowers in the flowering stage of cucumber. Pollination treatment affected the fruit growth, seed set, and fruit yield. The number of fruit, fruit set percentage, and total seeds per plant did not increase with the pollination level, but individual fruit weight and seed number in one fruit did increase. The differentiation of male and female flowers in the flowering stage of cucumber is a response to nutrient and pollination resources, but this response is not the optimal resource allocation for subsequent fruit development and seed maturity, which suggests that the response of plants to external environment resources is short-term and direct.

The effects of date pollinizer variety and pollination time on fruit set and yield of Medjhol date palm

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdoul Amir Rahnama ◽  
Esmaeil Rahkhodaei
Keyword(s):  
Date Palm ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Male Flower ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Palm Fruit ◽  
Tropical Fruit ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Female Flowers

Date palm is unisexual, being either male or female. Male and female flowers grow on buds called Spathe, which opens naturally when fully mature. It is easy to identify the male and female flowers. Under the method of manual pollination, pollen from a male flower is smeared over female flowers. The pollen variety and pollination time have important effects on date palm fruit set, yield and quality. This experiment was carried out to study the effect of date pollinizer variety and pollination time on fruit set, growth and development of Medjhol date palm variety, in date palm garden of date palm and tropical fruit research institute of Iran during three years from 2009 to 2011. The trail was randomized complete block design in factorial manner with three pollen variety as Ghaname, Vardy, and Samesmave, two pollination time as 1-3 days before or after spathe opening and four replication. The results showed that the Vardy pollen had significant effects and increased the fertility percent and fruit yield, rather than two other pollen varieties. The pollen variety had no significant effects on fruit quality as total sugar, acidity, and bricx. The pollination time before spathe opening significantly increased fertility percent, decreased fruit weight and date palm yield. Finally the pollen variety and pollination time interaction effects showed that, application of Vardy pollen from 1-3 days after spathe opening with the most production date palm yield, equal 19.9 kilogram per any date palm trees, so this treatment is the best and are recommended.

Differential nectar production between male and female flowers in a wild cucurbit: Cucurbita maxima ssp. andreana (Cucurbitaceae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 1203-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Ashworth ◽  
Leonardo Galetto
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Male Flower ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Cucurbita Maxima ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Nectar Sugar Composition ◽  
Nectar Sugar ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Female Flowers

In dioecious and monoecious plants that depend on animal vectors for reproduction, pollinators have to be attracted to male and female flowers for pollination to be effective. In the monoecious Cucurbita maxima ssp. andreana, male flowers are produced in greater quantity, are spatially more exposed to pollinators and offer pollen in addition to nectar as floral rewards. Nectar traits were compared between male and female flowers to determine any differences in the characteristics of the main reward offered to pollinators. Nectar chemical composition and sugar proportions were similar between flower types. Total nectar sugar production per female flower was threefold higher than per male flower, and nectar removal did not have any effect on total nectar production in both flower morphs. Pollinators reduced nectar standing crops to similar and very scarce amounts in both flower types. Results indicate indirectly that pollinators are consuming more nectar from female flowers, suggesting that the higher nectar production in female flowers may be a reward-based strategy to achieve the high female reproductive output observed in this species.Key words: Cucurbitaceae, Cucurbita maxima ssp. andreana, nectar production, nectar sugar composition, removal effects, standing crop.

scholarly journals Pollen load and distribution on the body of Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) within oil palm plantations

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Van Basten Tambunan ◽  
Bandung Sahari ◽  
Damayanti Buchori ◽  
Purnama Hidayat
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Pollen Load ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Pollen Distribution ◽  
Male To Female ◽  
Female Flowers ◽  
Elaeidobius Kamerunicus

<p>The African oil palm weevil,<strong> </strong><em>Elaeidobius kamerunicus</em> is an effective pollinator of oil palm. Each individual palm produces exclusively male or female inflorescence so that the success of pollination depends on the ability of the pollinator to transfer pollen from male to female flowers. The objective of this research was to study the amount of pollen carried by <em>E. kamerunicus</em> between male and female inflorescences (pollen load) and the amount of pollen carried on each part of the weevil’s body (pollen distribution). Fifty each of male and female  <em>E. kamerunicus</em> individuals were collected from male and female flowers on trees in 3 locations: Siantar (North Sumatra), Dramaga (West Java), and Morowali (Central Sulawesi). Data on pollen load and pollen distribution on the weevil’s body were analyzed using <em>ImageJ</em> software. Results show that <em>E. kamerunicus</em> individuals collected more pollen from male flowers than from female flowers. In addition, male insects carried more pollen on their bodies than female insects. Pollen distribution on weevil body parts was highest on the elytra, followed by the thorax, abdomen, legs, and head respectively.</p>

scholarly journals Comparative transcriptome analysis of male and female flowers in Spinacia oleracea L

BMC Genomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Li ◽  
Ziwei Meng ◽  
Minjie Tao ◽  
Yueyuan Wang ◽  
Yulan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Splicing ◽  
Transcriptome Analysis ◽  
Spinacia Oleracea ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Alternative Polyadenylation ◽  
Gender Development ◽  
Comparative Transcriptome ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
First Time ◽  
Female Flowers

Abstract Background Dioecious spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), a commercial and nutritional vegetable crop, serves as a model for studying the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in plants. However, this mechanism is still unclear. Herein, based on PacBio Iso-seq and Illumina RNA-seq data, comparative transcriptome analysis of male and female flowers were performed to explore the sex differentiation mechanism in spinach. Results Compared with published genome of spinach, 10,800 transcripts were newly annotated; alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation and lncRNA were analyzed for the first time, increasing the diversity of spinach transcriptome. A total of 2965 differentially expressed genes were identified between female and male flowers at three early development stages. The differential expression of RNA splicing-related genes, polyadenylation-related genes and lncRNAs suggested the involvement of alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation and lncRNA in sex differentiation. Moreover, 1946 male-biased genes and 961 female-biased genes were found and several candidate genes related to gender development were identified, providing new clues to reveal the mechanism of sex differentiation. In addition, weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed that auxin and gibberellin were the common crucial factors in regulating female or male flower development; however, the closely co-expressed genes of these two factors were different between male and female flower, which may result in spinach sex differentiation. Conclusions In this study, 10,800 transcripts were newly annotated, and the alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation and long-noncoding RNA were comprehensively analyzed for the first time in spinach, providing valuable information for functional genome study. Moreover, candidate genes related to gender development were identified, shedding new insight on studying the mechanism of sex determination and differentiation in plant.

scholarly journals GENETIC VARIABILITY, CORRELATION AND PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS OF YIELD AND QUALITY TRAITS IN PUMPKIN (Cucurbita moschata Duch ex Poir.)

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Akter ◽  
M. G. Rasul ◽  
A. K. M. Aminul Islam ◽  
M. M. Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Female Flower ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Reducing Sugar ◽  
Total Sugar ◽  
Path Coefficient ◽  
Path Coefficient Analysis ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Female Flowers

The experiment was conducted to study variability, correlation coefficient and path analysis for yield and quality related traits of 30 pumpkin genotypes. Significant variations were found among the genotypes for most of the characters studied. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance in percent of mean were observed for beta-carotene followed by non-reducing sugar, number of seeds per fruit, yield per plant, dry weight, flesh thickness, number of male flowers per plant and number of female flowers per plant which indicated that these characters were under additive gene control and selection for genetic improvement for these traits might be effective. Correlation co-efficient between yield per plant with number of primary branches, number of fruits per plant and single fruit weight were positive and highly significant. On the other hand, days to first female flower, number of male flowers per plant, ß- carotene and total sugar showed positive and insignificant correlation with yield per plant. But correlation between brix content and yield per plant were significantly negative. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the maximum direct contribution towards yield was obtained through number of fruits per plant followed by days to first female flower and single fruit weight indicated that these traits should be considered as primary components of yield. Negative direct effect on yield was exerted by total sugar followed by number of female flowers per plant, reducing sugar and brix content. Considering all the qualitative and quantitative traits ten genotypes as G7, G13, G14, G17, G18, G19, G20, G22, G27, G29 among thirty were selected and suggested to be selfed for the development of inbred line for use in future breeding programme.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v26i1.19981

Cucumis anguria (West Indian gherkin).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Editorial Committee ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Tropical Plants ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Female Flowers

Abstract Genetics: The chromosome number reported for Cucumis anguria is 2n=24 (Ramachandran and Narayan, 1990; Flora of North America Editorial Committee, 2020). Reproductive Biology: Cucumis anguria is a monoecious species, with individual male and female flowers appearing on both plants, that depends of pollinators to transfer pollen grains in order to produce fruits. Although self-fertile, a degree of outcrossing results from insect pollination. Zagorcheva (1988) has suggested that C. anguria may also be a facultative apomict. The flowering season is of about 55-58 days. Male flowers appear before female flowers and both male and female flowers remain open for one day (from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm). The relationship between male and female flowers is on average 5.5 male flowers for each female flower. The greater number of male flowers compared to female flowers produces a greater flow of pollen in the crop and ensures pollination. Flowers are visited and pollinated by insects. In a study in Brazil, the most important visitor was Apis mellifera (72% of all visits) followed by native bees from the genera Plebeia sp. (16.7%), Exomalopsis sp. (8.3%) and Melissodes sp. (2.8%). Flowers are also visited by butterflies (Malerbo-Souza et al., 2020). Physiology and Phenology: Cucumis anguria is an annual species. Early growth is upright, followed by branching at the base to produce several trailing stems. Within its native distribution range, this species germinates in a few days during the summer rains when night temperatures are above 12°C and the soil is sufficiently wet. When plants are about 2-3 m length, they start to develop flowers. Fruits are often produced within 60 days after germination. Plants may produce up to 50 fruits per stem. Fruits remain attached to the withered annual stems long after these have died back at the end of the growing season (Wilkins-Ellert, 2004). Photoperiod is important and longer days coupled with higher temperatures confines plants to the production of male flowers. Shorter days and a drop in temperature stimulate the production of female flowers. Fruiting occurs within 60 days of planting and fruit are produced continuously, with as many as 50 fruits per plant produced during the growing season (Wilkins-Ellert, 2004). Environmental Requirements: Cucumis anguria prefers to grow in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows best in areas with mean annual temperatures ranging from 15°C to 28°C (tolerates 8°C-35°C) and mean annual rainfall between 800 mm-1000 mm (tolerates 300 mm-1700 mm). It is well adapted to soils with low fertility and is adapted to grow in a wide range of soil types, including Kalahari sands (regosols), red clays and black cotton soils (vertisols) with pH in the range 6-7.5 (tolerates 5.5 - 8.3), but it grows best on well drained sandy soils (Fernandes, 2011). This species is sensitive to cold and does not tolerate frost (Wilkins-Ellert, 2004; Useful Tropical Plants, 2020).

scholarly journals Variability, correlation and path analysis in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.)

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-489
Author(s):  
S Sultana ◽  
MA Kawochar ◽  
S Naznin ◽  
A Siddika ◽  
F Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Direct Effect ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Cucurbita Moschata ◽  
Fruit Length ◽  
Female Flowering ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Positive Direct ◽  
Female Flowers

Twenty one genotypes of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.) were evaluated to measure the variability among the genotypes for several characters, estimate genetic parameters, association among the characters and their contribution to yield. There was a great deal of significant variation for all the characters among the genotypes. High variability was observed in number of female flowers/plant, number of male flowers/plant, single fruit weight and fruit yield/plant. All the characters except days to first male flowering and days to first female flowering showed high heritability along with high genetic advance in percent of mean. The positive and strong association of number of female flowers/plant (rg=0.918, rp=0.839), number of male flowers/plant (rg=0.687, rp=0.638), fruit length (rg=0.691, rp= 0.520), fruit breadth (rg=0.518, rp=0.420) and single fruit weight (rg=0.492, rp= 0.431) with fruit yield/plant revealed the importance of these characters in determining fruit yield/plant. On the other hand, days to first male flowering (rg = -0.623, rp = -0.550) and days to first female flowering (rg= - 0.689, rp= -0.543) correlated significantly and negatively with fruit yield/plant. The path co-efficient analysis revealed that the highest positive direct effect was recorded in number of female flowers (0.887) to fruit yield and high direct effect was found in case of days to first female flowering (0.798). Fruit breadth was observed to have the highest positive indirect effect (0.899). In case of fruit length (0.381) and single fruit weight (0.398), the significant positive correlation with fruit yield/plant was observed because of the combination of the direct and indirect effects of fruit length and single fruit weight to fruit yield/plant. Overall, the results indicated that days to first female flowering, number of female flowers, fruit length, fruit breadth and single fruit weight can be used as useful selection criteria to increase fruit yield/plant in pumpkin.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(3): 479-489, September 2015

Biology of Australian seagrasses: Floral development and morphology in Amphibolis (Cymodoceaceae)

1982 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
CA McConchie ◽  
SC Ducker ◽  
RB Knox
Keyword(s):  
Floral Development ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Floral Meristem ◽  
Ovary Wall ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Mature Flower ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Lateral Branches ◽  
Floral Vasculature ◽  
Female Flowers

Floral development of male and female flowers in Amphibolis antarctica and A. griffithii was followed from the initiation of the floral meristem to the mature flower. In A. antarctica the flowers form on lateral branches, while in A. griffithii they may also develop terminally on an upright branch from the rhizome. A. griffithii and. to a lesser extent, A. antarctica, show sympodial branching from the floral axis. The female flower develops from a pair of primordia; in A. griffithii these primordia each develop three stigmas, which in A. antarctica subsequently may form secondary branches. The. ovary wall bears the initials of the future grappling apparatus, comprising four comb initials in A. grijjjthii and a further inner set of horns in A. antarctica. The female flowers of Amphibolis are unique amongst the members of the Cymodoceaceae in being subtended by a bract or perianth, similar to the male flowers. Differences between the floral vasculature and intravaginal squamulae are presented for both species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document