Articles
Flower bud differentiation and development characteristics of Prunus sibirica L. and Prunus armeniaca L.
Article number
1450_37
Pages
283 – 288
Language
English
Abstract
Flower bud differentiation is the most critical stage of fruit reproduction and growth.
However, as a result of its higher pistil abortion ratio and earlier flowering, most Chinese apricot cultivars are susceptible to the adverse climate such as low temperature in early spring and late frost, which lead to low fruit yield and greatly restrict the development of apricot industry.
In order to investigate the anatomical characteristics of the flower bud differentiation and growth of apricot at different phenological stages, the paraffin sections of early flowering ‘Shanxing’ (Prunus sibirica L.) with haplopetalous flower and the late flowering ‘Shaanmeixing’ (Prunus armeniaca L.) pleiopetalous flower were used as experimental plant material.
The characteristics of floral organ differentiation in the flower bud of ‘Shanxing’ and ‘Shaanmeixing’ were observed by optical microscope.
The results showed that in Beijing area, the initial differentiation stage of ‘Shanxing’ and ‘Shaanmeixing’ began in mid to late July, followed by floral organ differentiation, in the following order: sepals, petals, stamens and pistil.
Sepal and petal differentiation was from August to September.
From the end of September to the first half of October, the differentiation of stamen and pistil began, and the differentiation was basically completed from the middle of October to late November.
From the end of November to the middle of February, the bud entered the dormant period, and the rapid expansion of flower buds began in the middle of March, then entered the full flowering period in late of March for ‘Shanxing’ and middle of April for ‘Shaanmeixing’. The differentiation process of the early flowering cultivars of ‘Shanxing’, especially the development of pistil and stamen, is earlier and faster than in ‘Shaanmeixing’. Meanwhile, the pleiopetalous flower characteristic of ‘Shaanmeixing’ was determined at the stage of flower bud differentiation.
The results of this study provide reference for the study of apricot blossom meaning to avoid late freezing damages, and provide guidance for establishing measures to ensure stable yield in apricot.
However, as a result of its higher pistil abortion ratio and earlier flowering, most Chinese apricot cultivars are susceptible to the adverse climate such as low temperature in early spring and late frost, which lead to low fruit yield and greatly restrict the development of apricot industry.
In order to investigate the anatomical characteristics of the flower bud differentiation and growth of apricot at different phenological stages, the paraffin sections of early flowering ‘Shanxing’ (Prunus sibirica L.) with haplopetalous flower and the late flowering ‘Shaanmeixing’ (Prunus armeniaca L.) pleiopetalous flower were used as experimental plant material.
The characteristics of floral organ differentiation in the flower bud of ‘Shanxing’ and ‘Shaanmeixing’ were observed by optical microscope.
The results showed that in Beijing area, the initial differentiation stage of ‘Shanxing’ and ‘Shaanmeixing’ began in mid to late July, followed by floral organ differentiation, in the following order: sepals, petals, stamens and pistil.
Sepal and petal differentiation was from August to September.
From the end of September to the first half of October, the differentiation of stamen and pistil began, and the differentiation was basically completed from the middle of October to late November.
From the end of November to the middle of February, the bud entered the dormant period, and the rapid expansion of flower buds began in the middle of March, then entered the full flowering period in late of March for ‘Shanxing’ and middle of April for ‘Shaanmeixing’. The differentiation process of the early flowering cultivars of ‘Shanxing’, especially the development of pistil and stamen, is earlier and faster than in ‘Shaanmeixing’. Meanwhile, the pleiopetalous flower characteristic of ‘Shaanmeixing’ was determined at the stage of flower bud differentiation.
The results of this study provide reference for the study of apricot blossom meaning to avoid late freezing damages, and provide guidance for establishing measures to ensure stable yield in apricot.
Publication
Authors
M.L. Zhang, J.H. Zhang, L. Yang, F.C. Jiang, W.J. Yu, H.Y. Sun
Keywords
flowering time, frost, yield, pleiopetalous
Online Articles (59)