Flowering and Fruiting Eco-physiology of Calotropis procera (Ait.) W.T. Ait., and importance of Gas in Fruit dehiscence.

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Botany Department, Faculty of Sicence, Menoufia University Shebin El-Kom, Egypt

Abstract

The phenology and ecology of flowers, fruits and mechanism of fruit dehiscence have been studied.
Usher Calotropis procera produces flowers throughout the year with a peak in the early dry season
(summer). The number of flowers was very high reaching of 959 flowers/tree, while the production of fruits was
very low (22 fruit/tree). Each seed is covered at one tapered end by parachute-like silky hairs of about 3.16 ±0.4
cm. in length. It is possible to use the seed hairs as source for natural fibers in arid and semiarid regions. Fruits
are dehiscent by gas pressure (140.75±24.4 mm Hg). It was found that the gas occupies about 70% of whole
volume of fruit. The gas content (N2 & O2) expands with increased temperature causing a pressure on the
pericarp and leading to fruit dehiscence.

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