Study on Flowering Characteristics and Breeding System of Artemisia annua

OBJECTIVE: To study flowering characteristics of Artemisia annua, to confirm certain breeding system, and to provide reference for fine variety selection. METHODS: Flowering dynamics and pollination characteristic was studied by field observation, and pollen viability was determined by isolated culture. The stigmas receptivity was determined by the methods of benzidine-H2O2, and habit of pollination was studied by bagging test. RESULTS: The florescence span of A. annua was in October and continued for about one month,and the florescence span of the individual plant was about two weeks. The pollen viability had little change throughout flowering period and it was about 44.2% at full flowering stage. The stigmas receptivity of female flower was the highest before pollen scattering and higher than hermaphroditic flowers. The pollen-ovule ratio (P/O) and bagging test showed the breeding system was obligate xenogamy. CONCLUSIONS: The breeding system of A. annua belongs to obligate xenogamy and pollinated by wind.