Abstract:

The aim was to study the biological characteristics and the interspecies crossability of Amorphophallus Blume flower. A. konjac, A. albus, A. bulbifer, A. krausei and A.kachinensis were used as materials. The biological characteristics of flower buds were observed and recorded. The morphological feature of pollen was observed with the optical microscope. The pollen vigor was tested by in vitro germination, and the compatibilities were identified by artificial pollinated. The results showed that the morphology and color of the flower had apparent variations among the subspieces, and also in the same subspiece. The spathes of A. konjac and A. bulbifer were funnel-shaped and the others were boat-shaped, and the flower of A. konjac was larger. The appearances of pollen grain were observed different under the optical microscope. Cross-pollination in the subspieces showed high compatibility, except for A. bulbifier, however, incompatibilities were observed in the partial widecross combinations and reciprocal cross. A. albus, as female parent, showed wide compatibility and had potential value as the genetic bridge for cultivars improvement.