FLOWERING PHENOLOGY, BREEDING SYSTEM, POLLINATORS AND FRUITING BEHAVIOUR OF PAVETTA TOMENTOSA (RUBIACEAE) ROXB. EX SM., A KEYSTONE SHRUB SPECIES IN THE SOUTHERN EASTERN GHATS FOREST, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Authors

  • A. Jacob Solomon Raju Andhra University
  • M. Mallikarjuna Rao Andhra University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4462/annbotrm-13160

Keywords:

PAVETTA TOMENTOSA, FLOWERING PHENOLOGY, MIXED BREEDING SYSTEM, PSYCHOPHILY, ORNITHOCHORY, KEYSTONE SHRUB SPECIES.

Abstract

Pavetta tomentosa is a massive bloomer for a brief period during May-June.  The flowers are hermaphroditic, strikingly protandrous, self and cross-compatible, nectariferous and psychophilous. They possess secondary pollen presentation mechanism as a device to avoid autonomous autogamy but it does not prevent geitonogamy.  The fruit set largely occurs through geitonogamy and xenogamy.  The papilionid and pierid butterflies, and sphingid hawk moth pollinate the flowers while nectar collection.  Honey bees and blue-banded digger bees feed on pollen and effect only accidental pollination.  The nectar is sucrose-rich and contains essential and non-essential amino acids.  Birds are seed dispersal agents.  Seeds are non-dormant and germinate readily but their continued growth and establishment is subject to the availability of soil moisture and nutrients. The plant is not able to populate itself in its natural area.  Further, the local uses of flowers and leaves of this plant appear to be negatively affecting its reproductive success.  P. tomentosa serves as a keystone species for bees and butterflies because this is the only prominent and profuse flowering species during dry season in the study region.

Author Biographies

A. Jacob Solomon Raju, Andhra University

Dr. Aluri Jacob Solomon Raju is a Professor of Environmental Sciences in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India. He was the Head of the Department during 2009-2012. He is currently the Chairman, Board of Studies of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Department of Microbiology. Further, he is a member of Academic Senate of the Andhra University. He was the Visiting Professor of University of Colima, Mexico. He was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Akron, USA for a period of two years. He has published more than 300 research papers, participated and presented scores of research papers at more than 75 national and more than 50 International conferences held in India and abroad.  He visited USA, Canada, UK, Brazil, Paraguay, Italy, Mexico, France, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Tanzania. In recognition of his superior record of scholarship, he was awarded Distinguished Achievement Award by the University of Akron, USA. He is also the recipient of Best Research Award and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Best Academician Award of Andhra University, Loyola Environmental Award from Loyola College, Chennai and Andhra Pradesh Scientist Award from Andhra Pradesh Council of Science & Technology, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. He successfully completed a number of major research projects on the Eastern Ghats Forests funded by ICAR, UGC, DST, CSIR, DBT and MoEF. He has been awarded UGC-BSR Grant for distinguished achievements in his research field. He has also worked on biodiesel plants such as Pongamia and Jatropha and work on these plants laid foundation for others to initiate work in commercial lines.  He has also published ten books on various subjects published by national and international publishers. Twenty five Ph.Ds and 10 M.Phils were awarded under his guidance. Further, he is currently serving as a resource person for All India Radio, TV Channels, Consultant for issues relating to environment. Further, he is currently operating a DST Project on the reproductive biology keystone plant species. He is an expert-cum-reviewer for scores of scientific journals published by Elsevier, Springer publishers, Indian Publishers, US Publishers and African Publishers. He is the Chief Editor of Advances in Pollen-Spore Research and Journal of Palynology. He is the Expert member of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India in sanctioning the research projects.  

M. Mallikarjuna Rao, Andhra University

Working as Project Fellow in a Major Research Project on Keystone plant species funded by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.  Simulaneously doing research work leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy under the supervision of Prof. A.J. Solomon Raju, Department of Environmental Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India.

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Published

2016-03-08

How to Cite

Jacob Solomon Raju, A., & Mallikarjuna Rao, M. (2016). FLOWERING PHENOLOGY, BREEDING SYSTEM, POLLINATORS AND FRUITING BEHAVIOUR OF PAVETTA TOMENTOSA (RUBIACEAE) ROXB. EX SM., A KEYSTONE SHRUB SPECIES IN THE SOUTHERN EASTERN GHATS FOREST, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA. Annali Di Botanica, 6, 85–96. https://doi.org/10.4462/annbotrm-13160

Issue

Vol. 6 (2016)

Section

Research Articles

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