常绿阔叶树种栲树开花物候动态及花的空间配置

 基于定株观测和随机枝取样法,对浙江天童常绿阔叶林内栲树（Castanopsis fargesii）的开花物候动态及其雌花、雄花的空间配置进行了研究。结果表明：在栲树的生殖枝上,并非所有的芽都分化、萌发生成花序,栲树花芽的分化和发育集中在一级生殖枝上。生殖枝上花芽的分化与该枝的空间位置密切相关。栲树花期明显晚于春季的展叶期,与叶片生长时间重叠。盛花期集中于5月下旬,约持续8 d左右,属于同步发生的花期。栲树雄花序的数量明显高于雌花序,雄花序约占花序总数的77.88%,雌花序仅占22.12%。大量雄花和花粉的存在是保证雌花接受花粉和完成受精的基础。花序在植冠层中的空间配置明显不同：在同一植冠内,向阳面和背阴面生殖枝上芽萌发成花序的比率存在明显差异(p<0.01),阳面生殖枝上顶芽萌发成花序的比率高于阴面生殖枝的比率,并且,阳面的每个生殖枝上平均花序数和雄花数量均高于阴面生殖枝,花序的分化和发育与枝系的生长发育状况有密切关系。     

两种生境条件下西南桦的生殖构件及其空间格局

在广西靖西土石山生态交错区调查了西南桦(Betula alnoides)生殖植株的生长状况,并研究土山和石山两种生境条件下西南桦的生殖构件及其在冠层的分布格局.结果表明:石山西南桦开始开花结实的林木胸径明显小于土山;两种立地上西南桦植株的花芽、花序数以及雄花序比率与其胸径、树高均不显著相关(P>0.05);土山和石山的西南桦雄花序数随着总花序数的增加均呈对数曲线增长趋势,在生殖投资较小的情况下植株趋向于优先发育雄花序,而在生殖投资较大时主要增加雌花序的数量;西南桦生殖构件在两种生境间存在显著差异,石山植株的雄花芽数、每个雄发芽发育出的雄花序数均显著低于土山(P<0.05),雄花序少于雌花序的植株比例远高于土山,生殖枝比率亦显著低于土山(P<0.05);尽管石山雄花序、雌花序和总花序数量以及雄花序比率低于土山,其雌花序比率高于土山,但是由于两种立地上单株间变异幅度大,独立t检验表明其差异均未达到显著水平;两种立地上西南桦花序大多着生于树冠上、中层,且90%以上的生殖枝居于树冠外层.     

阿月浑子花序生长和花期物候学研究

以太行山区成龄(15年生)黄连木高接的阿月浑子(4年生)为材料,系统观测了10个阿月浑子雌雄品种的花序生长、花期物候以及开花节律.结果表明,阿月浑子花序生长始于3月下旬,生长期持续15~20 d;花期始于4月上旬,花期持续8~12 d;不同品种间的花期存在较大差异,雄株Peter和T491品种的花期较早,而雄株T11品种的花期较晚,其花期与雌株品种的花期基本吻合,可作为太行山地区适宜的授粉品种加以应用.     

大花百子莲的结实和结籽格局及种子产量影响因素分析

在2007和2008年对大花百子莲(Agapanthus praecox subsp.orientalis‘Big Blue’)在群体、果序和单果水平上的结实和结籽格局进行了观测,并依据每花序单花数、单花胚珠数和单粒种子质量推算其单株潜在种子产量;此外,采用人工补充授粉方法研究了不同授粉方式对大花百子莲结实和结籽的影响,并对其种子产量的影响因素进行了分析。结果表明:从始花期、盛花期至末花期,随开花时间的延迟,大花百子莲植株的每花序单花数和座果率均逐渐降低,其中始花期开花的植株每花序单花数和座果率均最高。从果序基部、中部至顶端,座果率和结籽率均逐渐减小且差异显著。在果序基部和中部,果实内种子败育率沿果实基部至顶端依次降低,而单粒种子质量则依次增加;且果序基部的果实各部位的种子败育率均低于果序中部的果实,而单粒种子质量则差异不大。大花百子莲的单株潜在种子产量约为43.18 g,而其单株实际种子产量约为2.87 g,远低于其潜在种子产量。自然授粉的大花百子莲每柱头花粉数为27.5粒,而自花授粉、同株异花授粉和异株授粉的每柱头花粉数均超过100粒;与自然授粉、自花授粉和同株异花授粉植株相比,异株授粉植株的座果率和结籽率均显著增加。研究结果显示:大花百子莲的结实和结籽格局呈现非随机分布规律,在引种地存在有性繁殖障碍;养分和授粉状况是制约大花百子莲种子产量的重要因素。     

穿龙薯蓣的花序特征研究

花序是影响植物繁殖的关键性状,也在分类学和系统发育研究中起着重要作用。药用植物穿龙薯蓣（Discorea nipponica）的花序类型具有多样型,但目前相关研究资料较少,且常有争议。为明晰穿龙薯蓣的花序类型及特征,本研究以观察测量为主,结合石蜡制片技术,对穿龙薯蓣的花序形态、数量性状及发育过程进行研究。结果表明：穿龙薯蓣雌花形成腋生的穗状花序,具退化雄蕊,具花粉囊,但不产生花粉;雄花序特征与现有资料的描述不尽相同,雄花序生于叶腋或顶生于侧枝,花序主轴为无限花序,侧轴为蝎尾状单歧聚伞花序,整体为形似穗状的混合花序;由于雄株部分侧枝叶片退化,腋生花序向顶逐渐短缩,与顶生花序结合呈圆锥状;雄花序的长度、小花数量、小花密度及花期时间等均高于雌花序。本研究发现,穿龙薯蓣雌雄花序形态与有限花序向无限花序演化过程相符,具原始性,可保证传粉的成功率,增强对环境的适应性。     

薄壳山核桃在南京的开花物候期观察和比较

对种植于南京的薄壳山核桃[Carya illinoensis (Wangench.)K.Koch] 18个品种(系)的开花物候期(包括雌花和雄花的单花开花过程和花期以及雄花散粉期和雌花可授期)进行了观察和比较.结果表明:供试的18个品种(系)雄花单花的开放过程包括花被裂开、雄花变黄、花药散粉、花药变黑和小花脱落5个时期,其开放过程持续天数为13～22 d;各品种(系)雄花集中在4月下旬进入初花期,5月中下旬进入落花末期,雄花的整个花期持续天数为16～24 d.雌花单花的开放过程包括子房显露、柱头裂开、柱头倒“八”字形、柱头枯萎和子房膨大5个时期,其开放过程持续14 ～ 22 d;雌花集中在4月下旬进入初花期,末花期集中在5月中旬,雌花的整个花期持续天数为12 ～23 d.18个品种(系)的雌花可授期天数为3～10d、雄花散粉期天数为4～9d,多数品种(系)的雄花散粉期与雌花可授期天数为7d.依据雌花和雄花开放的先后顺序可以确定其中的12个品种(系)为雌先型,5个品种为雄先型,仅1个品种为同时型;并根据观察结果确定了22个可行的授粉组合.适宜的品种配置方案为‘马罕’(‘Mahan’)、‘西奥克斯’(‘Sioux’)、‘金华’(‘Jinhua’)、‘卡多’(‘Caddo’)和‘波尼’(‘Pawnee’).     

华北驼绒藜开花生物学特性研究

对华北驼绒藜的开花生物学特性进行了具体调查统计研究.结果显示,华北驼绒藜种群形成了一系列适应风媒传粉的花部特征:单性花,雌雄同株;雄花序细长而柔软,雄蕊4枚,无苞片;雌花小,无花冠,柱头指状,具有大量乳突细胞,便于捕捉花粉;居群内同一植株雌、雄花花期不一致性较高,花期不遇;每枝条雄花开花持续时间频率最高为7 d,而雌花开花持续时间频率最高为6 d;雌、雄花序呈单峰连续集中开花式样;雌、雄花始花时间与花期长度均呈极显著负相关(雌花r=-0.569,P＜0.01;雄花r=-0.665,P＜0.01),开花数与花期长度则为显著正相关关系(r=0.083,P＜0.01),(r=0.346,P＜0.01).研究表明,华北驼绒藜在长期的进化过程中,形成了同株雌、雄花花期不遇的生殖策略,因而减少了同株授粉的比例,提高了结实率.     

中国北亚热带油橄榄(城固32)开花生物学特性研究

为研究北亚热带内陆地区油橄榄（Olea europaea L.）开花物候、开花样式及花器官特征,探讨其有性繁殖系统的特点。试验对西秦岭南坡地区油橄榄（城固32）的开花生物学进行研究,统计开花进程,雄花和两性花在花序上的着生位置和数量,测定雄花和两性花形态指标并切片观察,电镜扫描分析雄花与两性花花粉粒。结果表明：（1）在北亚热带北缘内陆气候条件下油橄榄花期集中在5月,单株花期15~20 d,盛花期持续4~6 d;（2）油橄榄具有雄全同株的性系统且花器官较小,雄花及两性花都具有正常发育的雄蕊。通过制作石蜡切片观察,发现两性花的雌蕊正常发育,而雄花只有较小的子房和败育的柱头;（3）雌蕊是两种花型花器官生物量差异的主要部位,两性花雌蕊的生物量明显比雄花大（P<0.01）,树体分化出雄花投入的资源更少;（4）雄花与两性花在花粉量、花粉粒大小上差异不显著,在着生位置上,花序轴顶花全部为两性花,雄花出现在花序轴的中部和基部的几率分别是21.13%和30.77%。油橄榄品种城固32具有典型的雄全同株现象,雄花更倾向于在花序上出现的位置在行使它雄性功能方面并无优势可言,而且雄花花粉粒在数量、活力方面也没有优势,但是雄花的出现增加了花粉数量和P/O值,提高了植株的雄性适合度,雄花的出现也降低了两性花落花导致的树体资源浪费,保障其在资源有限的环境中能够繁殖最大化。     

爱玉子花的变异类型及其相关统计分析

该文报道了爱玉子(Ficus awkeotsang)花序中存在变异花的现象, 并通过花序解剖观测及数据统计分析方法, 研究比较雌、雄花序中变异花的类型、不同品系的花序变异率以及单花序中变异花的数量, 了解变异花发育过程、变异花与传粉小蜂之间的相互关系, 以及变异花对爱玉子产量造成的影响。结果表明: 爱玉子变异花在形态上有单生与伞形花序状2种类型, 雌花序中的变异花分布在雌花区和退化花区; 雄花序中的变异花均生长在瘿花区。雌花序中伞形花序状的A型变异花影响传粉小蜂对正常雌花的授粉, 与正常雌花争夺养分和生长空间从而影响正常雌花的生长发育, 大量A型变异花的存在使未授粉的雌花序延迟凋落或挂树不落, 造成养分流失。雌性品系太和6、太7、W13、乐野8、日野20和大洋Z106的花序中A型变异花数量较多, 对产量有一定的影响。除A型外的其它类型的变异花, 由于数量少且结构简单, 或发育后熟, 对传粉小蜂的传粉、产卵以及花序的发育、成熟没有显著影响。无论是雌性品系还是雄性品系, 以扦插苗繁殖方式形成的植株, 其花序变异率高于以实生苗繁殖方式形成的植株。以上研究结果为高产优质爱玉子品系的选育提供了一定的依据, 且对于爱玉子的栽培和推广有着重要的指导意义。     

爱玉子花的变异类型及其相关统计分析

该文报道了爱玉子（Ficusawkeotsang）花序中存在变异花的现象,并通过花序解剖观测及数据统计分析方法,研究比较雌、雄花序中变异花的类型、不同品系的花序变异率以及单花序中变异花的数量,了解变异花发育过程、变异花与传粉小蜂之间的相互关系,以及变异花对爱玉子产量造成的影响。结果表明：爱玉子变异花在形态上有单生与伞形花序状2种类型,雌花序中的变异花分布在雌花区和退化花区：雄花序中的变异花均生长在瘿花区。雌花序中伞形花序状的A型变异花影响传粉小蜂对正常雌花的授粉,与正常雌花争夺养分和生长空间从而影响正常雌花的生长发育,大量A型变异花的存在使未授粉的雌花序延迟凋落或挂树不落,造成养分流失。雌性品系太和6、太7、W13、乐野8、日野20和大洋Z106的花序中A型变异花数量较多,对产量有一定的影响。除A型外的其它类型的变异花,由于数量少且结构简单,或发育后熟,对传粉小蜂的传粉、产卵以及花序的发育、成熟没有显著影响。无论是雌性品系还是雄性品系,以扦插苗繁殖方式形成的植株,其花序变异率高于以实生苗繁殖方式形成的植株。以上研究结果为高产优质爱玉子品系的选育提供了一定的依据,且对于爱玉子的栽培和推广有着重要的指导意义。     

The developmental floral morphology of Montrichardia arborescens (Araceae) revisited

The spadix of Montrichardia arborescens contains unisexual flowers without a perianth. The pistillate flowers are located in the basal portion of the inflorescence, and the staminate flowers are located in the apical portion. There is a narrow :zone between male flowers and female flowers consisting of atypical flowers. The portion of the atypical flowers facing the staminate zone exhibits staminate characters (stamens), and the portion facing the pistillate zone has an aborted gynoecium. The floral development of Montrichurdia is compared with that of Philodendron and a new interpretation of the morphology of atypical flowers of Montrichardia is proposed. Ontogenetic evidence supports relationships with Philodendron rather than Cercestis. 2001 The Linnean Society of London     

Flowering and fruiting phenology of Normanbya normanbyi (W. Hill) L. H. Bailey (Arecaceae), a palm endemic to the lowland tropical rainforest of north‐eastern Australia

Abstract Normanbya normanbyi (W. Hill) L. H. Bailey (Arecaceae) is a monoecious, arborescent palm with a very small distribution area within the Daintree rainforest in north‐eastern Australia. Our 2‐year study was focused on the reproductive phenology at the individual and population level. At the population level flowering peaked in the dry season, whereas fruiting was confined to the wet season. Each palm can bear up to three inflorescences/infructescences at the same time. Flowering of each inflorescence is separated from each other by a couple of weeks. A single inflorescence consists of about 1900 staminate and 800 pistillate flowers. The flowering of N. normanbyi is protandrous with a staminate phase lasting 40 days and a pistillate phase of approximately 2 weeks. Between both phases is a non‐flowering phase of about 9 days. Fruit ripening takes 21 weeks, with an average of about 280 ripe fruit per tree. Comparison of three study plots revealed a moderate synchrony of flowering and fruiting initiation in this species of palm. The male phase of flowering shows a higher degree of synchrony than the female phase at the population level. Seasonal regularity of flowering and fruiting peaks appears to be predictable. The general flowering and fruiting phenology of N. normanbyi follows a subannual pattern with a strong tendency towards a continual pattern.     

SEX DIFFERENTIAL FLORAL LONGEVITY,NECTAR SECRETION,AND POLLINATOR FORAGING IN A PROTANDROUS SPECIES

Sex differential nectar production, floral longevity and pollinator foraging were examined in Lobelia cardinalis, a self-compatible, protandrous species that is hummingbird pollinated. The staminate phase of the flowers lasts significantly longer and produces significantly more nectar (total sugar) per day than the pistillate phase of the flowers. Additional pollen is presented throughout the staminate phase. Because inflorescences of L. cardinalis mature acropetally, the nectar reward on any given day is greatest at the top of the inflorescence (where staminate phase flowers are located). Hummingbirds appear to be sensitive to this pattern of nectar presentation as they most commonly began foraging in the middle of an inflorescence and proceeded upward. This foraging pattern tends to promote outcrossing and suggests that staminate phase flowers are visited more often than pistillate phase flowers. We conclude that L. cardinalis emphasizes the male function at anthesis. Others have hypothesized that the features of this species are a logical consequence of intrasexual selection, but further research is needed before we place great confidence in a sexual selection interpretation of our data.     

DEVELOPMENT OF TASSEL SEED 2 INFLORESCENCES IN MAIZE

The normal pattern of maize floral development of staminate florets on the terminal inflorescence (tassel) and pistillate florets on the lateral inflorescences (ears) is disrupted by the recessive mutation tassel seed 2. Tassel seed 2 mutant plants develop pistillate florets instead of staminate florets in the tassel. In addition, the ears of tassel seed 2 plants display irregular rowing of kernels due to the development of the normally suppressed lower floret of each spikelet. The morphology of tassel and ear florets of the recessive maize mutant tassel seed 2 has been compared to those of wild-type maize through development. We have identified the earliest stages at which morphological signs of sex differentiation are evident. We find that sex determination occurs during the same stage on tassel and ear development. Early postsex determination morphology of florets in wild-type ears and in tassel seed 2 tassels and ears is identical.     

BEETLE POLLINATION OF CYCLANTHUS BIPARTITUS (CYCLANTHACEAE)

The morphology, inflorescence phenology, and insect visitors of Cyclanthus were observed during two reproductive seasons at Finca La Selva in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica. The inflorescence of Cyclanthus is an elongate spadix that is subtended and enclosed by four large, cymbiform bracts. Staminate and pistillate flowers are arranged in separate cycles along the length of the spadix and show marked dichogamy. Pollinators of Cyclanthus are beetles of the genus Cyclocephala (Scarabaeidae). The beetles arrive at the inflorescence while it is in the pistillate phase, during the first evening of the 2-day flowering period. They remain in the inflorescence for 24 hrs, until the end of staminate anthesis. The bracts of the inflorescence produce specialized tissue that the beetles consume along with pollen. Chemical analysis of the food tissue indicates that it is almost 50% lipid by dry weight. The scarabs use the inflorescence as an aggregation site for mating. Experiments with bagged inflorescences showed that no seeds are produced in the absence of pollinators, which suggests that Cyclanthus is obligately allogamous.     

麻疯树雌雄花中MADS-BOX基因的表达分析

麻疯树(Jatropha curcas)种子含油率高,种子中的油类物质可作为生物柴油被开发和利用,是极具潜力的生物质能源树种之一。麻疯树雌雄异花,在自然条件下雄花数量通常远远大于雌花,这大大限制了种子和油的产量,因此开展麻疯树性别分化与花发育分子机理的研究具有重要意义。该研究选取10个麻疯树的MADS-BOX基因(JcAGL1,JcAGL6,JcAGL9,JcAGL11,JcAGL15,JcAGL61-3,JcAGL62-1,JcAGL62-6,JcAGL62-7,JcAGL80-2),提取麻疯树早期发育各个阶段的雌雄花总RNA,并反转录成cDNA,采用实时荧光定量方法,探索早期发育不同阶段的麻疯树雌雄花目的基因的表达情况。结果表明:目的基因在发育起始的雌雄花中的表达具有差异,比如JcAGL6和JcAGL15在雄花中表达量要高于雌花,而JcAGL1,JcAGL9和JcAGL11在雌花中的表达量要高于雄花,这说明花原基中目的基因表达会直接或间接决定性别分化的方向;在之后的发育过程中,目的基因的表达情况在雌雄花中有所不同:随着花的发育,目的基因在雌雄花中的表达量变化存在差别,这反应出麻疯树雌雄花发育中目的基因表达模式上的差异;另外,也能看出在此过程中各个目的基因又发挥着不同的功能。该研究结果为进一步探究麻疯树雌雄花发育相关基因的表达提供了理论依据,为了解麻疯树性别分化和花发育的分子机理奠定了基础。     

Fossil floral structures of a basal angiosperm with monocolpate,reticulate-acolumellate pollen from the Early Cretaceous of Portugal

Distinctive monocolpate and reticulate-acolumellate pollen grains with a coarse, loosely attached reticulum have long been known as a conspicuous element of many palynological assemblages from the Early and mid-Cretaceous. These grains are now described in situ in staminate structures and on the surface of pistillate organs from two Early Cretaceous (Barremian or Aptian) mesofloras from Portugal (Vale de Agua and Buarcos). Staminate organs include a staminate axis with spirally arranged stamens and many isolated stamens. Stamens consist of a short filament, a dithecate, tetrasporangiate anther, and a short apical extension of the connective. Anther dehiscence is extrorse by longitudinal slits and in situ pollen is monocolpate, semi-tectate with a coarse, loosely attached reticulum composed of narrow muri with a spiny ornamentation. The infratectal layer of the pollen wall is thin, granular, and lacking columellae; and the foot layer is distinct. The endexine is thin, except under the aperture where it is thick. The pistillate organs are minute consisting of a simple unilocular ovary containing a single thin-walled seed. Associated with staminate and pistillate structures are many coprolites consisting almost exclusively of pollen grains of this distinctive type. The staminate and pistillate organs are not found in organic connection, and two new genera are established to accommodate the new floral structures: Pennistemon comprising the staminate structures and Pennicarpus comprising the pistillate structures. A new genus, Pennipollis, is also established for the dispersed grains, based on the type species Peromonolites peroreticulatus Brenner, since no appropriate genus has yet been described for these acolumellate grains. Features of the pollen grains strongly indicate affinity with members of the Alismatales and characters of the mesofossils also support this assignment. This is the first record of putative monocots in the early Cretaceous based on combined pollen and floral features.     

Resource partitioning to male and female flowers of Spinacia oleracea L. in relation to whole-plant monocarpic senescence

Male plants of spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) senesce following flowering. It has been suggested that nutrient drain by male flowers is insufficient to trigger senescence. The partitioning of radiolabelled photosynthate between vegetative and reproductive tissue was compared in male (staminate) versus female (pistillate) plants. After the start of flowering staminate plants senesce 3 weeks earlier than pistillate plants. Soon after the start of flowering, staminate plants allocated several times as much photosynthate to flowering structures as did pistillate plants. The buds of staminate flowers with developing pollen had the greatest draw of photosynthate. When the staminate plants begin to show senescence 68% of fixed C was allocated to the staminate reproductive structures. In the pistillate plants, export to the developing fruits and young flowers remained near 10% until mid-reproductive development, when it increased to 40%, declining to 27% as the plants started to senesce. These differences were also present on a sink-mass corrected basis. Flowers on staminate spinach plants develop faster than pistillate flowers and have a greater draw of photosynthate than do pistillate flowers and fruits, although for a shorter period. Pistillate plants also produce more leaf area within the inflorescence to sustain the developing fruits. The (14)C in the staminate flowers declined due to respiration, especially during pollen maturation; no such loss occurred in pistillate reproductive structures. The partitioning to the reproductive structures correlates with the greater production of floral versus vegetative tissue in staminate plants and their more rapid senescence. As at senescence the leaves still had adequate carbohydrate, the resources are clearly phloem-transported compounds other than carbohydrates. The extent of the resource redistribution to reproductive structures and away from the development of new vegetative sinks, starting very early in the reproductive phase, is sufficient to account for the triggering of senescence in the rest of the plant.     

THE MORPHOLOGY AND RELATIONSHIPS OF DALECHAMPIA SCANDENS (EUPHORBIACEAE)

The circumtropical but preponderantly American genus Dalechampia, comprising nearly 100 species of twining vines (or rarely subshrubs), is strikingly isolated within the Euphorbiaceae because of its distinctive bibracteate inflorescences. There has been considerable taxonomic controversy with regard to the relationships of the genus, and it has been suggested that Dalechampia is allied to the tribe Euphorbieae because of a supposed analogy between its inflorescence and the cyathium in the Euphorbieae. Field and laboratory investigations of the common American species D. scandens, together with a comparative survey of related species, have thrown some light on these problems. The Dalechampia inflorescence seems best interpreted as consisting of a terminal staminate pleiochasium (with part of the lateral branches transformed for nectar production), juxtaposed to a 3-flowered pistillate cyme. The lips of the conspicuous bilabiate involucre are formed by the hypertrophied bracts which subtend the staminate and pistillate cymes. The bisexual inflorescences appear to be distinctly proterogynous, rather than proterandrous, as has been previously suggested. The configuration of the inflorescence—a bilaterally symmetrical pseudanthium—suggests adaptation for crosspollination, but the closing movement of the bracts makes self-pollination probable in the absence of visits by pollinators. The similarity of the Dalechampia inflorescence to the cyathium of the Euphorbieae appears to be entirely superficial, and both reproductive and vegetative data suggest that Dalechampia is related to taxa of tribe Plukenetieae.