Pak. J. Bot., 44(4): 1215-1218, 2012.

THE PISTIL STRUCTURE IN LOQUAT [ERIOBOTRYA JAPONICA (THUNB.) LINDL.]

YAN JUAN1, WANG YONGQING2*, TAO LIAN, YANG QIN, DENG QUNXIAN AND LV XIULAN

Abstract: In this study the pistil structure of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) was investigated for the first time through free-hand section and observation on seed set under manually controlled pollination. The results showed that 5 styles with stigmas, free at base, inserted on the upper surface of the ovary. The ovary consisted of 5 fused carpels; the septums, originating from the carpellary margins, divided the ovary into 5 locules, with each locule containing a placenta to which the 2 ovules attached; the locules were lined by a thick cuticle. In the hand-pollination to the only one stigma left (4 styles were removed), seeds were produced only in one locule (fertile locule), while in other 4 locules all the 8 ovules were unfertilized and wilt. 76.67% fertile locules produced two normal seeds and 23.33% fertile locules produced only one normal seed and the other degenerated. Therefore, it can be concluded that 5 styles and 5 locules had a one-to-one relationship in both morphological and reproductive characteristics in loquat.

College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, 625014, Sichuan, China

^1,2These authors contributed equally to the work.

Corresponding author’s e-mail: wangyqcnd@163.com