Floral Biology and Interspecific and Intergeneric Crossability of Teasle Gourd

Abstract

Information on fruit setting in teasle gourd [Momordica subangulata Blume subsp. renigera (G. Don) WJJ de Wilde] has received little attention, and the precise nature of its breeding system has never been described. A study was undertaken on the pollination mechanism, fruit setting, and interspecific and intergeneric crossability for genetic improvement of teasle gourd. The first flower produced by the male clone reached full bloom 75 days after emergence from the soil; those produced by female clones required an average of 53 days. Number of nodes producing the first flower varied from plant to plant and subsequent flowers also did not develop in any definite sequence. The time required by male and female flower buds to reach anthesis was 15 and 10 days, respectively. Opening of either type of flower occurred between 6 and 7 am, and dehiscence of anthers began at time of opening of female flower. The stigma became receptive 12 hours before anthesis. No fruit set was obtained by hybridization between teasle gourd and other cucurbits, indicating little likelihood for recombination of desirable characters from others cucurbits into teasle gourd using fresh pollen.