Pollination and hybrid affinity of Ottelia acuminata and Ottelia acuminata var.crispa
[Objective]The study aims to reveal the pollination Ottelia acuminata and O.acuminata var.crispa,elucidate the factors affecting successful pollination,and provide theoretical and technical guidance for hybrid breeding between the two species.[Methods]Using O.acuminata and O.acuminata var.cris-pa as subjects,by observing their flowering dynamics,insect visitation behaviors,and measuring pollen viability,stigma receptivity,and hybrid compatibility index,the study investigated their pollination char-acteristics and hybrid compatibility.[Results]The flowering dynamics of O.acuminata and O.acuminata var.crispa were fundamentally similar,with each flower lasting 7-11 h.The main pollinating insects in-clude Episyr phus balteatus and Apis cerana.The vitality of the pollen and the receptivity of the stigma both showed an initial increase followed by a decrease.The peak pollen viabilities for O.acuminata and O.acuminata var.crispa were 88.27%and 88.34%,respectively,and the stigmas were all the highest at anthesis Ⅱ.The fruit set rates for direct and reciprocal crosses were 85.71%and 91.33%,respectively,with hybrid compatibility indices both greater than 53.The average number of seeds per fruit for self-polli-nation were 54 and 69,respectively,and for direct and reciprocal crosses,73 and 71,respectively.The seed germination rates for self-pollination were 71.7%and 27.3%,respectively,and for direct and recip-rocal crosses,22.6%and 19.7%,respectively.[Conclusion]The flowering dynamics of O.acuminata and O.acuminata var.crispa are fundamentally similar,with each having a short flowering period.There are fewer types of pollinating insects,which affects sexual reproduction,yet there is no significant evidence of hybrid incompatibility.