Indian Journal of Plant Physiology

, Volume 21, Issue 1, pp 31–36 | Cite as

Reproductive biology and breeding system in Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz

  • Gufran Usmani
  • Asim Kumar Mandal
  • Pravin H. Chawhaan
  • Yogeshwar Mishra
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:
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Abstract

Studies on phenology and reproductive biology were carried out in 15 populations of Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz (2n = 22). Two different sizes of pollen grains (82.5 ± 5 and 52.3 ± 5 µm) with viability up to 85–95 % were observed. The receptivity of stigma was found to be 1 day prior to anthesis between 08.45 and 09.15 a.m. Study revealed that this species is preferentially cross pollinated and is well adopted to achieve effective pollination. Reproductive success in terms of fruit set is poor due to limitation of compatible pollens.

Keywords

Rauvolfia serpentina Reserpine Phenology Reproductive biology 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

Financial support from the National Medicinal Plants Board, Government of India, New Delhi (Sanction No. GO/MP/-07/2006) is gratefully acknowledged.

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Copyright information

© Indian Society for Plant Physiology 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  • Gufran Usmani
    • 1
  • Asim Kumar Mandal
    • 1
  • Pravin H. Chawhaan
    • 2
  • Yogeshwar Mishra
    • 1
  1. 1.Tropical Forest Research InstituteJabalpurIndia
  2. 2.Arid Forest Research InstituteJodhpurIndia

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