JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2023, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (1): 154-162.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202108013

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The dynamic observation of male and female inflorescence establishment of Salix suchowensis in Nanjing area

XIANG Li(), YIN Tongming, CHEN Yingnan()   

  1. Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
  • Received:2021-08-08 Accepted:2021-10-23 Online:2023-01-30 Published:2023-02-01
  • Contact: CHEN Yingnan E-mail:xiangli12314@163.com;chenyingnan@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

【Objective】 Salix (willows) cause severe seed hair pollution when they reach sexual maturity. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differentiation is essential for seed hair pollution control. To clarify the molecular regulation of sexual determination, it is necessary to understand the key period of floral bud differentiation and the establishment of inflorescence. 【Method】 In this study, we studied the morphology and anatomy of Salix suchowensis floral buds and determined the period at which inflorescence is established in males and females by light microscopy and paraffin sectioning. This study was conducted within one year. 【Result】 The inflorescence primordium differentiation occurred from mid-June to July; floret primordium initiation took place from mid-July to August; gynoecium or androecium differentiation occurred from September to November; dormancy of inflorescence spanned from mid-November to February of the following year, whereas male or female gametophyte development occurred from mid-February to March, following the flush of male or female catkins. Additionally, the morphological characteristics were correlated with anatomical structure of the inflorescence. 【Conclusion】 Both male and female flowers of S. suchowensis are unisexual. The growth curve of the inflorescence exhibited a sigmoid shape, and the male inflorescence was larger than that of the female inflorescence during the entire developmental process. External morphology can be used to deduce the differentiation stages of flower buds. This study provides a panoramic view of the dynamic changes in floral bud differentiation and inflorescence establishment in S. suchowensis, which provides essential information for clarifying the molecular mechanism underlying the key developmental stages of female and male flowers.

Key words: Salix suchowensis, floral bud differentiation, inflorescence establishment, external morphology, anatomical structure

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