Floral biology, breeding system and pollination ecology of Justicia betonica L. (Acanthaceae): An assessment of its low reproductive success in West Bengal, India. Issue 4 (27th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Layek, Ujjwal; Midday, Mrinmoy; Bisui, Sourabh; Kundu, Arijit; Karmakar, Prakash
• Is Part Of: Plant species biology. Volume 37:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 278
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2022-07-27
• Subjects: phytophagy -- pollination deficit -- relative pollinator service -- reproductive success -- self‐compatible; Plants -- Evolution -- Periodicals; Plants -- Classification -- Periodicals; 581
• DOI: 10.1111/1442-1984.12380
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0913-557X

Abstract

Abstract: Besides its importance as an ornamental plant, Justicia betonica L. is also used as a medicinal plant for the treatment of several human disorders. However, the population size and abundance of the plant species are very low in Indian states, including West Bengal. The breeding system and pollination ecology of J . betonica are still unclear. Therefore, some reproductive aspects were investigated in order to provide important information for the sustainability of the species. The flowering duration spanned from December to May, with its peak in February–March. Flower opening time was much earlier (5.00–8.00 a.m.) on a hot day (in April–May) than on a cold day (10.00 a.m.–12.00 p.m. in December–January). The time of anther dehiscence coincided with the flower opening time; however, the stigma became receptive later. The plant species is self‐compatible but dependent on pollinators for fruit and seed sets. Members of different insect groups like ants, bees, butterflies, flies, moths and wasps visit the flowers. Among them, Allorhynchium metallicum and Halictus acrocephalus are the primary pollinators (based on the "relative pollinator service"). The plant species showed a significant pollination deficit (coefficient of pollination deficit [ D ] = 0.32) in the open condition. Larvae of the florivorous moth Gatesclarkeana erotias significantly reduced reproductive success by eating their floral parts, ovules and immature seeds. In conclusion, combining the pollination deficit and the feeding activity of phytophagous insects (moth larvae) may reduce the reproductive fitness of J . betonica in the study regions. Abstract : Justicia betonica is self‐compatible but dependent on the pollinators for fruit and seed sets. Allorhynchium metallicum, Delta pyriforme and Halictus acrocephalus are potent pollinators. The moth larvae reduce the reproductive success of the plant species by eating their floral parts, ovule and immature seeds.