Abstract

IMERY-BUIZA, José  and  CEQUEA-RUIZ, Hernán. Self-incompatibility and protandry in naturalized populations of Aloe vera from the Araya Peninsula, Venezuela. Polibotánica [online]. 2008, n.26, pp.113-125. ISSN 1405-2768.

The synchronization and compatibility of the reproductive organs of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Aloaceae) were evaluated by carrying out crosses at different flowering stages and by analyzing the germination response of pollen in saccharose-agar microcultures with or without macerated stigmas and styles. In vivo observations showed that A. vera does not produce fruits following intraspecific pollination, either between flowers of the same plant or as a result of intra- or interpo-pulational crosses. However, the pollen from A. saponaria Haw. (= A. maculata Medik.) promoted the formation of fruits and hybrid seeds in crosses performed from 1 to 4 days after anthesis in the receptor flower. Pollen germination and in vitro pollen tube growth were significantly reduced in A. vera by the presence of mother tissue, whereas in A. saponaria there were no differences between culture media. This research suggests the existence of protandry in A. vera with at least 24 h of disparity between maturation of reproductive organs, and sporophytic self-incompatibility, the latter being favored by the low genetic variability of the populations under study.

Keywords : Aloe; dichogamy; reproduction; pollen.