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Volume 12
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Article

Flowering Dynamics, Pollen Viability and Stigma Receptivity of Nai Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl. var. cordata) from Different Provenances

by
Juan Luo
1,2,
Yao Li
1,
Fengxia Shao
1,2,3,*,
Sen Wang
1,2,3,*,
Kuo Yang
1,3,
Tian Xiang
1,3,
Xuanyu Zhang
1,3,
Yutong Li
1,3,
Xinxin Lian
1,3,
Minhuan Zhang
1,2,
Yafeng Wen
1,2 and
Saiyang Zhang
3,4
1
Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
2
Yuelushan Laboratory, Changsha 410128, China
3
The Belt and Road International Union Research Center for Tropical Arid Non-Wood Forest, Changsha 410004, China
4
Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Horticulturae 2026, 12(4), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12040468
Submission received: 22 February 2026 / Revised: 31 March 2026 / Accepted: 2 April 2026 / Published: 9 April 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Nai plum (Prunus salicina Lindl. var. cordata) is a high-value fruit crop in southern China, yet its post-harvest quality is often compromised by fruit browning, a major constraint to storage and marketability. Addressing this challenge requires a deeper understanding of the species’ reproductive biology, which underpins both fruit set and cultivar improvement. In this study, we characterized the flowering biological characteristics of Nai plum accessions introduced from Yanling and Liuyang (Hunan Province) and Shaoguan and Lechang (Guangdong Province). Using field observations combined with microscopic and submicroscopic techniques, we documented flowering phenology, flowering dynamics, floral organ traits, pollen viability and stigma receptivity. The flowering period was in March, lasting 26–28 d, and the group blooming period was divided into three stages: Initial opening stage, Full blooming stage, and Final flowering stage. The single-flower opening process was divided into eight stages. Pollen viability followed a unimodal curve, peaking at the petal flattening stage (PF) across all accessions, though peak values varied by provenances. Stigmas were of the wet type, with receptivity following a weak–strong–weak pattern; peak receptivity occurred at early flowering (EF) and PF in most accessions. The EF of Nai plum from Yangling (S1) lasted for 7 h, and PF lasts for 28 h. The EF of Nai plum from Yangling (S2) lasted for 3 h, and the PF lasted for 11 h. Both the EF and the PF of Nai plum from Shaoguan (S3) lasted for 14 h. The bud white stage (BW) of Nai plum from Lechang (S4) lasted for 6 h and the EF lasted for 7 h. The EF of Nai plum from Liuyang (S5) lasts for 7 h, and the PF lasted for 28 h. These findings clarify the reproductive phenology and floral biology of Nai plum, providing foundational knowledge that can inform breeding strategies and cultivation practices aimed at improving fruit set and, ultimately, post-harvest quality.
Keywords: Prunus salicina Lindl. var. cordata; flowering dynamics; stamen morphology; pollen viability; pistil morphology; stigma receptivity Prunus salicina Lindl. var. cordata; flowering dynamics; stamen morphology; pollen viability; pistil morphology; stigma receptivity

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Luo, J.; Li, Y.; Shao, F.; Wang, S.; Yang, K.; Xiang, T.; Zhang, X.; Li, Y.; Lian, X.; Zhang, M.; et al. Flowering Dynamics, Pollen Viability and Stigma Receptivity of Nai Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl. var. cordata) from Different Provenances. Horticulturae 2026, 12, 468. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12040468

AMA Style

Luo J, Li Y, Shao F, Wang S, Yang K, Xiang T, Zhang X, Li Y, Lian X, Zhang M, et al. Flowering Dynamics, Pollen Viability and Stigma Receptivity of Nai Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl. var. cordata) from Different Provenances. Horticulturae. 2026; 12(4):468. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12040468

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luo, Juan, Yao Li, Fengxia Shao, Sen Wang, Kuo Yang, Tian Xiang, Xuanyu Zhang, Yutong Li, Xinxin Lian, Minhuan Zhang, and et al. 2026. "Flowering Dynamics, Pollen Viability and Stigma Receptivity of Nai Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl. var. cordata) from Different Provenances" Horticulturae 12, no. 4: 468. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12040468

APA Style

Luo, J., Li, Y., Shao, F., Wang, S., Yang, K., Xiang, T., Zhang, X., Li, Y., Lian, X., Zhang, M., Wen, Y., & Zhang, S. (2026). Flowering Dynamics, Pollen Viability and Stigma Receptivity of Nai Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl. var. cordata) from Different Provenances. Horticulturae, 12(4), 468. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12040468

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