Developmental Pattern and Reproductive Biology of Nymphaea micrantha Guill. & Perr. and Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. in Kerala

Abstract

Water lily (Genus Nymphaea L.) has got immense ornamental, medicinal and cultural significance. The study was carried out to understand developmental pattern and reproductive biology of two species in Genus Nymphaea, which is fundamental for any crop improvement programme. Flowers were found to be solitary, pedicellate, and complete with various floral whorls in a spiral fashion on the floral axis. Significant variability was observed for various floral characters among the two species evaluated. The flowers were found opened in the morning and closed in the evening hours and the process was repeated on the subsequent days. Blossom life lasted for three days in Nymphaea micrantha and four days in Nymphaea nouchali. The peak flower production was observed during September to November period. The dehiscence of pollen occurred by the longitudinal splitting of the anthers in both the species and proceeded from the outer whorl to the inner whorl. The pollen grains retained viability only for 30 to 40 minutes. The stigma became receptive 17 hours before flower opening and receptivity was retained up to 32 hours after flower opening. Very low fertility of pollen was observed in both the species used for the study. No fruit or seed development was observed in both the species under study.