Frequency of Viable Seeds Obtained from Several Lilium spp. Cross-Pollinated at Different Floral Stages

Abstract

To study the influences of the floral stage at the time of pollination on the production of viable seeds in Lilium spp., flower buds and flowers were cross-pollinated 1 and 3 days before anthesis (D -1 and D -3), at anthesis (D 0) and 1, 3 and 5 days after anthesis (D +1, D +3, and D +5). The optimum times of pollination for maximum seed production of each cross-combination were D -1, D 0 and D +1 in 'Enchantment'×L. maculatum, 'Enchantment'×'Connecticut King' and 'Georgia'×'Hinomoto', respectively. It was D 0, D +1 and D +3, respectively, for 'Connecticut King'× L. maculatum and 'Connecticut King'×'Enchantment'. In L. rubellum × L. speciosum 'Uchida' a few seeds were produced only when they were pollinated at D -3 and D +5. The viability of seeds obtained in four cross-combinations was estimated by a pattern of cumulative percentage germination of seeds for 30 days, cumulative percentage germination 30 days after sowing (PG), and mean days to germination (MDG). The results varied among cross-combinations and floral stages at pollination. Seeds, produced from pistils pollinated after anthesis, germinated more rapidly at the higher cumulative percentage than did those from pistils pollinated at and before anthesis. On the basis of these results on the yield of viable seeds and seed germination, we conclude that a large number of high quality seeds can be produced consistently between compatible cross-combinations of Lilium spp. when pistils are pollinated within a few day after anthesis