Floral characters influencing outcrossing in rice

摘要

In search of ideal attributes of male and female floral characteristics that would improve cross pollination, fifteen wild species of rice were extensively screened. The study revealed a wide variation for length and breadth of anther and stigma, extent of elongation of filaments and style, and the degree of protrusion of anthers and stigma. Species such as Oryza grandiglumis, O. minuta and O. rufipogon were found to have relatively long and broad anthers with distinct filament elongation, while species like O. officianalis, O. minuta, O. punctata, O. australiensis and O. latifolia were found to have larger stigma ans longer style with well protruded stigma for longer periods. Based on the extent of usable variability available in the wild species for various floral characteristics, there is a possibility of restructuring rice flower so as to facilitate increased cross pollination.