Flowering and Fruit Set Under Malaysian Climate of Jatropha curcas L. | Science Publications

American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Nur A.P. Abdullah¹  Noor C.N. Noor¹  Thohirah L. Abdullah¹ 

关键词: Floral morphology;    Jatropha curcas;    reproductive organs;    floral anthesis;    pistillate flowers;    dichasial cyme;    Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM);    Formalin Acetic Acid (FAA);   

DOI  :  10.3844/ajabssp.2011.142.147

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

来源: Science Publications

【 摘 要 】

Problem statement: In recent years Jatropha curcas has drawn the worlds attention as ithas the potential to replace fossil fuel as biodiesel. However, the biggest setback in Jatropha cultivationin Malaysia is the low percentage of fruit set and the high ratio of male to female flowers. In order tofurther understand the flowering and fruit characteristics of Jatropha, floral and fruit developmenttimeline is needed in order to develop solutions for the problems in low fruit set. Approach: Thisstudy described the flowering behaviour of Jatropha curcas cultivated under Malaysia and tropicalclimate. Investigation was carried out by observing the floral morphology, flowering sequence ofpistillates, floral anthesis time, flower daily anthesis, flowering and fruiting plant behaviour, flower sexand fruit set ratio. Floral reproductive organs were examined using Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM). Results: Jatropha is monoecious and produces individual flowers in a dichasial cyme. EachJatropha inflorescence has at least six compound cymes. Male flower anthesis started the earliest at12.00 am and again at 6.10-6.46 am. Female flower anthesis commenced at 6.35-8.25 am. Maleflowers opened for a period of 8-11 days, while female flowers opened for only 3-4 days. The readingof the male to female flower ratio was taken twice, 22: 1 in December 2008 and 27: 1 in April 2009.The flower to fruit ratios were 6: 5 (January 2009) and 2: 1 (May 2009). Numerically, 0-10 femaleflowers and 25-215 male flowers are produced in the same inflorescence. In this study, the terminalstem of Jatropha bears fruits profusely in January, May and August 2009. Development of the floralmeristem consists of three stages that include a vegetative stage, transition from vegetative to floralstage and the development of flower parts. The meristem was in the transition stage at day 6. AllSepals and a petal were developed at day 18 but there was no presence of reproductive organsdeveloping at this stage. Flower and fruit development takes approximately 3 months to complete thecycle from the initiated floral bud stage until fruit maturity. Conclusion: Continuous flowering and theincidents where flowering terminated in the middle of the flowering period were factors believed tocause the wide range of fruit ripening times recorded. The problem of small number of fruits producedin Jatropha curcas is mainly caused by the small number of pistillate flowers present in eachinflorescence that range from 0 to 10 flowers in the same inflorescence. Jatropha could have two tofour cyclical fruiting peaks in Malaysia.

【 授权许可】

Unknown