| Popis: |
Background Andromonoecious is an unusual sex-expression in trees; in which an individual plant bears both functionally staminate and hermaphrodite flowers on the inflorescences. The significant effects of crown layers on reproductive success have not been studied so far. This study aims to investigate the effect of crown layers on floral biology and reproductive effort of Aesculus indica. Results The results revealed that the peak period of peak period of anthesis was between 06:00-08:00 h of the day. Male flower production was predominantly higher as compared to the perfect flower on the inflorescence. There was no significant variation between total pollen production in staminate and perfect flowers. The features like protogyny and inter-level asynchrony promote xenogamy, however, the intra-level asynchrony resulted geitonogamy. Controlled pollination treatment revealed the existence of self-incompatibility in flowers. Pollination syndromes of flowers are supporting ambophily. A trend of consistent improvement in reproductive success from lower canopy layers to upper canopy layers in trees was recorded. The crown layers have a significant impact on flower production, fruit, and seed set. Conclusions Increment in male flower production due to the increment in crown is a mechanism of reproductive assurance as a pollen donor and pollinator recipient and also due to the differential cost of expenditure of reproduction in crown layers. |
