Genetic and Biochemical Characterization Underpinning the Development of Floral Features that Influence Pollination – A Review

S. Venkatesan^1*, P. Masilamani², P. Janaki², T. Eevera³, S. Sundareswaran³ and P. Rajkumar⁴

¹Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute Tiruchirappalli - 27, Tamil Nadu, India

²Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, TNAU, Coimbatore-3

³Seed Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3

⁴Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, TNAU, Coimbatore-3

Corresponding Author E-mail: svengat95@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2912

ABSTRACT:

In the process of sexual reproduction in angiosperms, making viable pollen grain to land on the surface of the receptive stigma of the same flower or other flower is the key process. Major factors like both biotic and abiotic play a crucial role in the process of making pollen to reach stigma during sexual mode of reproduction in angiosperms. In nature, some of the plants pollination take place without the support of any of the above said two factors, in some of the cases transfer of pollen aided by the biotic factors viz., insects, birds, animals etc., Particularly in the process of insect or bird aided pollen transfer, secretion of volatile compound in view of attracting pollinators have multiple role. In addition to above, flower with variety of colour also play a huge role in attraction of pollinators and its aid in timely occurrence of pollination. Further, due to climate change some of the pollinator population also become extinct, under that condition through evolutionary changes plant change their phenotypic expression by that way they attract other group of pollinator in the process of sexual mode of reproduction. Only the plant able to change their adaptation through the evolutionary process or through the event of mutation based on their requirement alone able to survive. This review discusses some of the important strategy adopted by the flowering plants in view of attraction of pollinators.

KEYWORDS: Floral Signals; Genes; Pollination; Pigments; Patterning; Volatiles

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