1) Why the biology of flowering is important for seed growers

a) How biological processes of flowering can be harnessed to increaese seed yield and quality

b) Monitor:
i) pollen development
ii) pollen shed
iii) embryo development
iv) seed development
v) seed maturation

c) Problems
i) environmental
ii) cultural practices
iii) varietal/genetic differences

2) Flower Parts

a) Male flower parts
i) filaments
ii) anthers
iii) pollen

b) Female flower parts
iv) ovary/ovules
v) style
vi) stigma

 

3) The Male Journey in Plants

a) anthers must produce healthy pollen

b) pollen must be "delivered" to pistil

c) pollen must germ and grow down the style

d) zygote formation leads to embryo development

 

4) The Female Journey in Plants

a) ovary may have from 1 to 1000s of ovules

b) ovules support developing embryo

c) stigma must be receptive

d) embryo is a combination of male sperm nucleus and female egg nucleus

 

5) Key Stages when Floral Biology Can Malfunction

a) pollen development

b) pollen movement

c) pollen growth

d) embryo/endosperm development

e) maturation of seed