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Development of Unpollinated Ovules of Quaking Aspen

The development of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) female flowers has been studied following wind pollination in the field (Nagaraj, 1952) and following forcing and controlled pollination in the laboratory (Winton, 1968; Fechner, 1972). However, the development of flowers of this species has not been studied in situ following controlled pollination. Furthermore, previous work (Fechner, 1972) has shown that unfertilized ovules, within ovaries containing fertilized ovules, apparently develop to the mature embryo sac stage and degenerate soon thereafter. Whether or not development can proceed similarly in unpollinated pistils is not clear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the development of ovules in unpollinated quaking aspen flowers to that in control-pollinated flowers and to relate this development to external appearances of aments and pistils.


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Author(s): Gilbert H. Fechner

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Northeastern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1975