Flower morphology attributes of fruit yield of tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the relationship between the flower morphology and fruit yield of tea plants. Tea plants have late self-incompatibility, and cross-pollination can improve fruit yield. However, fruit yield considerably differs among tea varieties. Other factors might affect pollination and fruit yield. This study analyzed 106 tea varieties to determine the relationship between flower morphology and fruit yield.Results: The average fruit yield per plant of the tea varieties exhibited a positively skewed distribution. The higher the yield was, the lower was the proportion of the varieties. According to the relative position between the anther and stigma, the tea varieties were divided into the stigma and anther superior groups. Multiple relationships were observed between floral morphology and fruit yield. The stigma superior group accounted for approximately 85% of the population, and fruit yield was significantly higher in the stigma superior group than in the anther superior group. The longer the pistil was than the stamen, the higher the fruit yield was. The effect of the style width on fruit yield was opposite between the groups. In the stigma superior group, the wider the style width was, the higher was the fruit yield. By contrast, in the anther superior group, the wider the style width was, the lower was the fruit yield.Conclusion: Flower morphology affects the fruit yield of tea plants. In tea breeding, the stigma being higher than the anther is conducive for harvesting fruit. Moreover, the increase in the style width is beneficial for increasing fruit yield and might help pollinating insects in contacting the stigma.