Self-Pollinated Types and Ecological Adaptations of the Desert Plant <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i>
In desert plants, outcrossing is frequently limited by pollinator scarcity, leading to a certain percentage of self-fertilization. However, research on the ecological adaptations of self-fertilized seeds remains limited. <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> Maxim, a Tertiary relict plant in th...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1410 |
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| Summary: | In desert plants, outcrossing is frequently limited by pollinator scarcity, leading to a certain percentage of self-fertilization. However, research on the ecological adaptations of self-fertilized seeds remains limited. <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> Maxim, a Tertiary relict plant in the arid deserts of Northwest China, exhibits pronounced self-pollination. In this study, the population of <i>G. przewalskii</i> from the fifth regiment of Alar City was selected to explore its self-pollination types, self-pollination percentages, and ecological adaptations. We found that artificially cross-pollinated <i>G. przewalskii</i> produced heavier seeds, faster germination, seedlings with greater biomass, and stronger environmental adaptability than self-pollination. However, the frequency of insect visits per flower was less than one. The fruit setting rate of natural pollination was 6.90%, while that of self-pollination was 4.43%, accounting for 64.20% of the natural fruit setting rate. Additionally, <i>G. pzewalskii</i>’s filaments elongated rapidly to make the anthers and stigma at the same height before flowering. These characteristics suggest that <i>G. przewalskii</i> is capable of autonomous self-pollination and is prior selfing. <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> likely produces a high proportion of the selfing merely to ensure population survival. These findings offer valuable insights into the adaptation of desert plants to the scarcity of pollinators. |
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| ISSN: | 2223-7747 |