Pollen Fertility Status in Coastal Plant Species of Rotuma Island

Abstract

and Abstract The Island of Rotuma is facing widespread destruction and degradation of its flora. This investigation was conducted to determine the pollen fertility status in thirty two species of economic and environmentally important coastal species, which are reproducing freely thus most suitable to rehabilitate coastal areas. Pollen fertility status in these species varied from as low as 38% in Canavalia cathertica to as high as 100% in Hernandia nymphaeifolia and Vigna marina. It was interesting to note that species within same genus showed wide range of pollen viability. However, most of the species investigated had high pollen viability especially in those species, which grow close to sea. It was recorded that pollen fertility was low in small fragmented populations. This showed the effect of population size on reproduction. Larger sized populations showed high percentage of pollen fertility.