Hybridization of taro (Colocasia esculenta) (L.) Schott.): Floral development and stigma receptivity.

Abstract

The floral development and the duration of stigma receptivity in Colocasia esculenta was studied at the Bubia Agricultural Research centre, near Lae in the lowlands of Papua New Guinea. In determining the duration of stigma receptivity, female components were pollinated at different stages of their development. Although taro is a protogynous species, results showed that there was overlapping between the male and female developmental stages of the inflorescence. The period of stigma receptivity lasted 10 days. The stigmas were optimally receptive between 2 to 8 days after the emergence of the inflorescence. The effects of stressful climatic conditions on the flowering process were also observed. Drought stress may affect both natural and artificial hybridization.