Identification of gambier plant [Uncaria gambir [Hunter] Roxb] pollination system

Abstract

The gambier plant pollination system needs to be understood for a breeding program to be conducted. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of self-pollination [autogamy and geitonogamy] and cross-pollination, both natural and artificial allogamy, in these plants. This research was conducted in the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, Padang and used a survey method [identifying samples, conducting pollination, observing samples and collecting data obtained in the field] together with non-probabilistic purposive sampling. Observations made include pollen adhesion to the stigma and fruit formation. Data were analyzed using simple statistics. Fruit production was highest following artificial allogamous cross-pollination [86%], followed by natural allogamous cross-pollination [51%] and geitonogic self-pollination [22%]. Autogamic self-pollination failed to produce fruit. Gambier plants are cross-pollinating plants able to undergo geitonogamous but not autogamous self-pollination.