NOTES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MALE AND FEMALE STROBILI AND THE POLLINATION PROCESS OF JAPANESE LARCH LARIX LEPTOLEPIS (S.et Z.) GORD.) IN QINGYUAN COUNTY,LIAONING PROVINCE.
Abstract:The main stages of initiation and development of male and female strobili in Larix leptolepis(S.et Z.)Gord.were briefly deseribed.Such information may be of some interest to tree-breeders of this species. Details of pollination processes were alse carefully observed.When the female cones are fully developed,the cone-seales separate and pollen disseminated by wind enters the opening and deposits on the mieropylar flap which is swollen at the time and protrudes beyond the ovuliferous scale.Then the flap contracts and the pollen grains are embedded in its tissue for a period of about 15 days.As the ovule is mature,it secretes a fluid that fills the mieropyle,and after the pollen grains are enclosed,the fluid is withdrawn until the grains rest against the nucellus and germination takes place.