Increasing seed yield in glory lily (Gloriosa superba) - Experimental approaches

Gloriosa superba L. (locally known as Kalihari, Langli, Agnishikha) belongi ng to family Liliaceae, is highly valued in both traditional and modern the rapies. Its seed and tubers (active content colchicine) are used mainly for treating gout and rheumatism and the colchicine is also used for inducing polyploidy in plants. The widespread use of its tubers only for medicinal p urposes has led to its threatened state, and being placed on negative list of exports by Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India. Use of its seed, which have the same medicinal use as that of tubers ensures that its plants are n ot destroyed in nature, being a non-destructive harvesting. However, seed y ield in nature is very low and variable. So, to understand the reasons for low and variable seed yield, different pollination methods were studied inc luding natural, controlled selfing and crossing. No genetic self or cross i ncompatibility was observed. Although flower colour and shape favour cross- pollination, self-pollination has given better results. Controlled selfing between flowers on the same plant (idiogamy) has given significantly higher seed yield (9.20 g per plant and 681.73 kg per hectare), as compared to na tural pollinated ones (4.31 g per plant and 319.26 kg per hectare). The con trolled pollination can be attempted when the perianth lobes are crimson co loured at the top, and middle portion yellow with greenish base, when the s tigma is most receptive for pollen germination.