Journal of Environmental Biology

Pollination ecology and reproductive biology of Canarium strictum Roxb. from evergreen forests of Central Western Ghats, India

C.N. Prasanna Kumar, R.K. Somashekar*, B.C. Nagaraja and D. Shivaprasad

Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore ? 560 056, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: rksmadhu@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

30 May 2014

Revised received:

29 September 2014

Re-revised received:

03 December 2014

Accepted:

08 December 2014

Abstract

Pollination and reproductive biology of a dioecious tree Canarium strictum Roxb. (Burseraceae) was extensively studied within the Agumbe forest range of Western Ghats, Karnataka to identify primary pollen vectors and to enumerate interrelationship with the pollinators. The study also investigated phenology, floral biology, pollen production, pollen viability, stigma receptivity and nectar production. Trees produced functionally unisexual flowers with white petals, organized densely on inflorescences. Staminate flowers produced high percentage of viable pollen and relatively abundant nectar (15.75 ?l) as a reward to the pollinators, while pistillate flowers produced only nectar (12 ?l). Successful fruit set with wind pollination was facilitated by synchronization of flowering male and female trees, long term receptivity of stigma in female flowers and extended lifespan of flowers. The highest mean percent of fruit set with hand cross-pollination (?=91.06) suggests the influence of local male tree density, as well as, frequency and abundance of pollinator community on fruit set by open pollination.    

 Key words

Breeding systems, Dioecism, Heterostyly, Phenology

Copyright ? 2015 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).