PJB-2018-359
Reproductive and pollination biology of Sorbus alnifolia, an ornamental species
Linjun Yao, Yin Zhang, Keliang Zhang and Jun Tao
Abstract
Sorbus alnifolia (Rosaceae) is grown as an ornamental and as a fruit tree, but has low fruit set rate. Wood from S. alnifolia is used in making equipment, vehicles, and models. Knowledge of its pollination biology may prove useful in solving the problem of low fruit set, but is still lacking. The present study investigated the pollination biology of Sorbus alnifolia in temperate montane forests of eastern China, including aspects of morphology, floral biology, the reproductive system, flower-visitor observations, and an analysis of the pollen ovule ratio. The flowers are sequentially hermaphrodite and protogynous. Pollen and stigmas have a dynamic overlapping period of fertility of at least 3 d. Flowers of this species can set fruit via natural pollination (23.5%), artificial self-pollination (8.63%), and artificial cross-pollination (27.41%) and apomixis has not been observed (0%). The main pollinators were insects of the families Nymphalidae, Apidae and Tenthredinidae. Although S. alnifolia is adapted to insect pollination, it readily sets fruit via autogamy when no insect visits occur; this can be supported by artificial self-pollination as an adaptive strategy for reproduction under unfavorable environmental conditions. In rainy days, both pollen viability and insect activity decreased significantly. Hand pollination is recommended and could significantly increase fruit set thereby solving the problem of low fruit set in S. alnifolia. The information gained from this study should provide a useful reference for implementing long-term conservation and management strategies for this species.
To Cite this article:
Yao, L., Y. Zhang, K. Zhang and J. Tao. 2019. Reproductive and pollination biology of Sorbus alnifolia, an ornamental species. Pak. J. Bot., 51(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2019-5(21)
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