Style Morphology In Situ Pollen Germination and Pollen Tube Growth of Loquat

Style characteristics, stigma receptivity, in situ pollen germination, and pollen tube growth from styles with different length were studied in 'Longquan No. 5' and 'Chuannong No. 1' loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), a line derived from small seeds of 'Longquan No. 5'. The number of styles varied with cultivar. In 'Chuannong No. 1' style number varied from 4 to 10. The long and middle sized styles of 'Chuannong No. 1' had stigma receptivity from the balloon stage to 9 days after anthesis. Stigma receptivity was more extended in long styles that in short and ultrashort-styles. In 'Chuannong No. 1' the long and medium sized styles were more receptive to pollen germination and pollen tube growth than short and ultrashort styles.