Phenology and controlled pollination studies in Tamarind

Reproductive biology and breeding system were studied in five Tamarind clon es. Considerable vegetative and reproductive phenological variations were o bserved. Flowers showed strong entomophilous adaptations, open pollination fruit setting was between 1% to 2%. Controlled pollinations indicate that t amarind is a predominantly out crossing species with extremely low level of selfing, apomixis was absent. Long term pollen storage was possible, varia tion in pollen size was observed and pollen sterility was very low. Fruits showed colour dimorphism.