| Abstract: | Phenology of reproductive cones, microsporangium dehiscence and pollen production were studied in natural populations of Cedrus deodara at two different locations, the warmer Khirsu (1800 m a.s.l.) and the cooler Teka (1900 m a.s.l.) in the Pauri forest division of Garhwal Himalaya, India. The reproductive phenophases (cone bud initiation to pollination) goes up to four months with a blooming and pollination period of one month. The prolonged period of male cones during the immature phase was due to two months dormancy, and the dormancy, in turn, could be due to high precipitation during this phase. The pattern of opening of male cones was basipetal succession. Microsporangium dehiscence was dependent on air temperature and relative air humidity with a peak between noon and 2 pm. Flowering shows a high level of asynchrony among individuals within the population, leading to a possibility for geitonogamous selfing. Annual production of male cones varies greatly from one year to the next. A reduced number of pollen cones per tree in 2001 resulted in a decline in overall annual pollen production. In conclusion, the results revealed that the production of male cones represent only one factor that substantially influences the mating system, which will interact with the flowering phenology to influence the genetic composition of the population. |
