Amita Sharma*
Deptt. of Botany, R.G. (P.G.) College Meerut
Received-12.03.2016, Revised-24.03.2016
Abstract: Phenological events during the life cycle of plants in eight species of family Ericaceae e.g. Enkianthus deflexus Schneider, Gaultheria hookeri Clarke, Lyonia villosa Hand- Mazz, Pieris Formosa Don, Agapetes serpens Sleumer, Vaccinium retusum Hook and Vaccinium vacciniaceum Sleumer are recorded on the basis of field studies in their natural habitats. The various phenological events include bud initiation, period of flowering, anthesis time, pollination, fertilization, seed maturation and seed germination. Flower bud initiation takes place in the month of September and October. Buds are covered with scaly bracts and undergo dormancy for four to five months to overcome the severe winter. These buds after overcoming winters bloom in February to June accordingly. The pollen dehiscence takes place before anthesis. Fertilization follows in next 6-10 days and it is completed after pollination within 20 days. Seed and fruit mature from July to September. Seed dispersal takes place in September and October. It was concluded that various phenological events are affected by various climatic conditions.
Keywords: Phenological events, Ericaceae, Flower buds
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