Pollination and Pollen Tubes Growth in Common Juniper (Juniperus communis L.: Cupressaceae Rich. ex Bartl.)
Abstract
Pollination and fertilization are important and most responsible stages in sexual reproduction of coniferous plants. The purpose of researches was studying of pollination processes and biology of pollen germination in common juniper. The period of high concentrations of juniper pollen in air in pollination period makes no more than 4-6 hours and keeps within one calendar day. This dependence remain invariable from year to year, and no depend neither from weather conditions in receptation period, no from peculiarities of place of growth of a juniper. Influence of external agents on dynamics of exudation of a juniper pollination droplet is studied. Duration of exudation and volume of secretory liquid exuded by tissues of ovules depends from presence of external agents on a surface of pollination droplet, their sizes and physical and chemical properties. The pollination droplet chemical compound is studied. In composition of flying fractions of pollination droplet it is identified about 40 substances belonging to various classes of organic substances. In sugars composition of juniper pollination droplet are included only two monosaccharides: glucose and galactose. In amino acids composition prevail arginine, aspartic and glutamic acids. Results of researches confirm a complex chemical composition and multifunctionality of juniper pollination droplet. The pollination mechanism of juniper is effective and selective. Absence of pollination leads to degradation and necrosis of tissues of ovules and macrostrobils.The morphological structure of pollen grains of a juniper predetermines processes of pollen germination at early stages. The hydrophilous capsule formed after pollen hydratation promotes to exine rupture and shedding. This capsule remains till the fertilization moment. In it remains distal tip of pollen tube during all time of its growth. By culture in vitro development of pollen tubes of a juniper proceeds non-uniformly. At definition of juniper pollen viability it is necessary to consider a stage of pollen tubes development.