Pollination biology of the crypto-viviparous Avicennia species (Avicenniaceae)

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A.J.S. Raju
P.V.S. Rao
R. Kumar
S.R. Mohan

Abstract

Floral biology, sexual system, breeding system, pollinators, fruiting and propagule dispersal ecology of crypto-viviparous Avicennia alba Bl., A. marina (Forsk.) Vierh. and A. officinalis L. (Avicenniaceae) were studied in Godavari mangrove forests of Andhra Pradesh State, India. All the three plant species initiate flowering following the first monsoon showers in June and cease flowering in late August. The flowers are hermaphroditic, nectariferous, protandrous, self-compatible and exhibit mixed breeding system. Self-pollination occurs even without pollen vector but fruit set in this mode is negligible. In all, the flowers are strictly entomophilous and the seedlings disperse through self-planting and stranding strategies.

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Communications
Author Biographies

A.J.S. Raju

Prof. A.J. Solomon Raju is Head in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He is presently working on endemic and endangered plant species in southern Eastern Ghats forests with financial support from UGC and MoEF, and on mangroves of Andhra Pradesh with financial support from MoEF.

P.V.S. Rao

Dr. P.V. Subba Rao is Assistant Director working in the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, New Delhi.

R. Kumar

Mr. Rajendra Kumar is Research Officer working in the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, New Delhi, and also pursuing PhD (part-time) under Prof. A.J. Solomon Raju.

S.R. Mohan

Dr. S. Rama Mohan is Assistant Director, Department of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh. He has worked under Prof. A.J. Solomon Raju for PhD during which he did part of the work reported in this paper.

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