Hao Xu;Wang Yon

Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723001, China;Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723001, Chin

yanhusuo;day;oci;flowers;pollination;insect

This study aimed to study the flowering habit, out-crossing index (OCI), pollen-ovule ratio (P/O), pollen viability, stigma receptivity, pollination biology, pollination and foraging insects of artificially cultivated Corydalis yanhusuo W.T.Wang population. As a result, the OCI was 3 according to Dafni method, which indicated that C. yanhusuo belonged to a self-compatible breeding system that sometimes needed pollinators. The P/O ratio was from 31.9 to 396.0, by which C. yanhusuo was judged to be a self-pollination-dominated breeding system based upon Cruden standard (1977). Cultivated populations of C. yanhusuo blossomed heavily at the end of March, the flowering time of which was short, about 15 days. Pollen viability first elevated then declined along with the time, and reached the highest on fifth day. Stigmas receptivity were sensitive at the whole flower phase, it was the highest on the sixth day and declined afterward. Accidentally, one or two honeybees or butterflies would visit the flowers of C. yanhusuo for 5 to 16 s every day. From this, it could be seen that the visiting frequency of foraging insects to C. yanhusuo flowers was very low in the wild state.