Studies on reproductive behaviour and phenology cycle of Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem.

Abstract

The study on the phenology and reproductive biology of Rohida (Tecomella undulata) was conducted in Luttu village, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, situated at 28.2160 N and 75.2500 E. It was observed that the defoliation started in the last week of November and continued till the last week of March, although a complete leaflessness stage was never observed in any of the trees and the peak period of flowering varied from 22 to 30 days, with the tree in full bloom during 2nd fortnight of April. The flower buds took approximately 20 days from initiation to opening. The duration from the start of bud emergence to the maturity of the pod ranged from 141 to 152 days. It was also observed that the staining of the pollen for viability, carried out in a solution of Acetocarmine (1%), varied from 80.00 to 88.18%, or overall, 82.97% under the electron microscope. The pod setting under open pollination ranged between 7.14 and 17.50%, with an average of 12.40%, while there was no pod setting under selfing. This type of breeding behaviour represents the open-pollinated nature of this particular tree.