Floral biology of Commiphora wightii – a data deficient medicinal plant distributed in the arid zones of India

Abstract

Abstract: Commiphora wightii commonly known as Guggul is an important medicinal plant that contains oleo gum resin which is used as antiarthritic, hypocholesterolaemic and hypolipidaemic agents. It is an apomictic species native to India (Gujarat, Rajasthan) and Pakistan. Due to over exploitation, it is enlisted under the ‘data deficient’ category in the IUCN Red Data Book. However, very little information is available about its reproductive biology. Knowledge of reproductive biology of any plant species is crucial for its genetic improvement and planning for effective conservation and management of genetic resources. The present paper reports our findings on the flower opening pattern, pollen grain viability, stigma receptivity, flowering behaviour and fruit set in C. wightii. The study showed that flowers do not open in the night hours and maximum flower opening occurs in the morning hours up to 8.00 am. Maximum stigma receptivity was observed on the first day of flower opening. Polymorphism in pollen grain size was observed and a significant difference in pollen grain size was observed between hermaphrodite and male accessions. Maximum number of pollen grains is produced by hermaphrodite accessions. Pollen viability ranged from 35.07 to 60.85 % among the accessions. Flowering studied in 37 accessions showed wide variability among the accessions. Peak flowering was observed from November to April. Based on data on peak flowering time, the accessions were grouped into profusely, medium and shy flowering types. The fruit set percentage was very low among the accessions; it remained between zero and 5%.