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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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Jiaxin Jian Xueping Chai Xiaonan Zhao Zhaoping Yang |
| author_facet | Jiaxin Jian Xueping Chai Xiaonan Zhao Zhaoping Yang |
| author_sort | Jiaxin Jian |
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| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c2e13a0c34c7481d9bc22b72f101099f2025-08-20T03:12:04ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-05-011410141010.3390/plants14101410Self-Pollinated Types and Ecological Adaptations of the Desert Plant <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i>Jiaxin Jian0Xueping Chai1Xiaonan Zhao2Zhaoping Yang3College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, ChinaIn 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1410<i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i>flowering progressionautonomous self-pollinationseedling growthreproductive assurance |
| spellingShingle | Jiaxin Jian Xueping Chai Xiaonan Zhao Zhaoping Yang Self-Pollinated Types and Ecological Adaptations of the Desert Plant <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> Plants <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> flowering progression autonomous self-pollination seedling growth reproductive assurance |
| title | Self-Pollinated Types and Ecological Adaptations of the Desert Plant <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> |
| title_full | Self-Pollinated Types and Ecological Adaptations of the Desert Plant <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> |
| title_fullStr | Self-Pollinated Types and Ecological Adaptations of the Desert Plant <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-Pollinated Types and Ecological Adaptations of the Desert Plant <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> |
| title_short | Self-Pollinated Types and Ecological Adaptations of the Desert Plant <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> |
| title_sort | self pollinated types and ecological adaptations of the desert plant i gymnocarpos przewalskii i |
| topic | <i>Gymnocarpos przewalskii</i> flowering progression autonomous self-pollination seedling growth reproductive assurance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1410 |
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