Floral biology and pistil receptivity of the drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera Lam.)

Abstract

Drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) has a wide range of uses due to its high nutritional value and the high oil content of its seeds. Many aspects of its reproductive biology remain poorly understood. We investigated the floral morphology of drumstick, its stigma receptivity and the structural and cytochemical features of the stigma and style at different developmental stages. The inflorescences are panicles of hermaphroditic flowers, with a pistil consisting of one open-type stigma and a hollow stylar canal. Stigma receptivity was assayed based on pollen germination, pollen tube growth and fruit set following artificial pollination. Flowers at later developmental stages exhibited greater stigma receptivity, higher percentages of pollen germination and a higher fruit set than those in earlier stages. Enhanced stigma receptivity was associated with increased amounts of insoluble polysaccharides, lipids and proteins in the canal cells at later developmental stages. An ultrastructural study of the cells lining the canal indicated that they were secretory cells containing an enlarged endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosomes, mitochondria, plastids and ribosomes. Post-anthesis, these organelles exhibited degeneration at the end of the secretory phase. This study provides an important contribution to current knowledge of the anatomy and ultrastructure of the style and stigma in drumstick.

Floral Biology Studies in Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) to Implement in a Cross-Breeding Program

“…In a similar study, Aleemullah et al [18] determined the period of receptivity of C. annuum, indicating that the pistil was most receptive in −1 (one-day pre-anthesis), 0 (day of anthesis) and +1 (day post-anthesis). Recently, Crispim et al [9] observed that, although the flowers of the ornamental chili plant are receptive from the flower bud phase, the most significant receptivity was observed after the anthesis, Zhang et al [4], in a study of the floral biology and the receptivity of the Moringa oleifera Lam. pistil, reported that the greatest receptivity of the stigma was registered on days 1 and 2 after the anthesis, with more than 93% of the stigmas receptive.…”

“…The knowledge of reproductive biology is based on the floral structure of a species and it is this which determines the nature of its reproductive process. The most important advances obtained in the genetic improvement of plants are associated with the knowledge of their reproductive system, through studies relating to the anthesis, the viability of the pollen and the receptivity of the stigma, among others [1][2][3][4]. A number of studies have been carried out on the floral biology, which include the morphological and reproductive characteristics of genotypes of Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) revised by Gomes et al [3].…”

“…A number of studies have been carried out on the floral biology, which include the morphological and reproductive characteristics of genotypes of Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) revised by Gomes et al [3]. In Withania ashwagandha sp., Jatropha curcas, and Moringa oleifera Lam reproductive biology studies have been conducted [4][5][6]. The viability of the pollen and cross-compatibility among various species of Capsicum has been examined [7].…”

Morphological characterization and seed production of Moringa oleifera Lam. mother tree in North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

“…Moringa flowers are white with yellowish-white pistils and stamens; no anthocyanin color is found in all flowers in this population. Moringa plants have flowers with complete male and female organs so they can self-pollinate [17]. The pods showed dark green when they were young and changed to light brown when they were about to harvest, with the color of the seeds being blackish brown.…”

The morphological characterization, chemical composition and biological activity of barleria albostellata (Acanthaceae).

“…Flower receptiveness plays an important role in pollination variability, reproductive success and plant productivity (Zhang et al, 2018). These active traits include timing of the opening of the anther, position of the anther, pollen appearance, stigma position, receptiveness and morphology (Harder et al, 2001).…”