Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.15177/seefor.16-02
Flower Bud Differentiation in Quercus suber L.
Maria Carolina Varela
; National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Strategic Research Unit and System Services Agrarian, Forestry and Plant Protection., Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês P-2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
Teresa Valdiviesso
; National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Strategic Research Unit and System Services Agrarian, Forestry and Plant Protection., Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês P-2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
Elisa Novelli
; Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, 84 Emilia Parmense, I-29100 Piacenza, Italy; Centre for Research on Sustainable Development in Agriculture (OPERA), 84 Emilia Parmense, I-29100 Piacenza, Italy
Cândida Sofia Trindade
; National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Strategic Research Unit and System Services Agrarian, Forestry and Plant Protection., Av. da República, Quinta do Marquês P-2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is one of the most important forest species growing in the Western Mediterranean region. This investigation intends to assess the timing of flowering differentiation of cork oak and contribute to the deepening of the knowledge about the process of the sexual reproduction of the species.
Materials and Methods: In 2010 four trees were selected (9, 14, 24, 25) from a plot of 25 trees located at Quinta da Serra, Portugal. A total of 240 buds were collected from these four trees, on three days (8, 14 and 23 March), from 4 branches per tree and 5 positions per branch for the assessment of meristem differentiation.
Results: Meristem differentiation analysed on the sampling days revealed there were only vegetative structures by 8 March; a few male and female primordia on 14 March; and fully differentiated reproductive structures on 23 March.
Conclusions: Flowering sex determination of cork oak occurs about one month before the flowering onset.
Keywords
bud histology; cork oak; flower sexual determination; meristem differentiation; phenology
Hrčak ID:
159509
URI
Publication date:
8.6.2016.
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