ASPECTS RELATING TO SEED PRODUCTION IN GLORIOSA-SUPERBA L

Open-and hand pollination, ovule morphology, seed structure and germin ation of Gloriosa superba L. are discussed as possible factors influen cing reproduction. The protogynous flowers in the frondose raceme are psychophilous and ornithophilous with a stigma receptivity period of a t least four days. Development of the female gametophyte conforms to t he Polygonum type. The inner integument acts as an endothelium due to the absence of the nucellus on the lateral sides of the embryo sac, wh ere the nucellus has degenerated. A well-developed funicular obturator directs pollen tubes to a nucellar epistase where a partial self-inco mpatibility reaction appears to occur. A hypostase on the chalazal sid e contains transfer cells connecting the vascular tissue with the embr yo sac. Seeds are tegmic, surrounded by a sarcotesta showing adaptatio ns for endozoochory. Seed production was slightly better after cross-p ollination, and also when 48 hour-old pollen was used, especially when pollination was done in the second flower phase. When the three facto rs were combined and applied to the proximal flowers in the infloresce nce, seed production was significantly improved.