Lab Experment-2

Floral Biology of oats

Botanical name: Avena sativa
Chromosome number: 2n=6x=42
Floral biology: The flower are enclosed in a scales or bracts and grouped in a characteristic
structures are called spikelet. Spikelet of oat are arranged in a panicle. Each spikelet has a
small joints axis or rachilla which bears floret. Within the spikelet the floret are present.
Floret may vary from 2 to 3. When it consist of 3 florets, it may consist of
a) opened primary floret
b) unopened secondary floret
c) rudimentary tertiary floret

Tertiary floret

Secondary floret

Primary floret

Blooming begins in the upper floret. Each floret consist of lemma, palea, stamens, stigma and
two large glume. There are three stamens and a bifid feathery stigma.
Selfing
Oat is predominantly a self-pollinated crop. In order to ensure complete selfing, the spike is
enclosed in a bag. The bagging material could be cotton cloth or paper bag or cheese cloth
bag.

Crossing techniques
Emasculation:
Emasculation is done by removing the anther with forceps .It may be made at any time of day
preferably morning because mornings generally are better for pollination.
Steps for emasculation
1. Select the spike for the emasculation which is still enclosed by the flag leaf sheath.
2. Open the flag leaf sheath by forcing the leaf edges with the help of forceps.
3. Remove lateral florets and tip of the spike.
4. Remove all the anthers with the help of forceps from all the florets.
5. All the florets on the spike must be emasculated to prevent self-fertilization.
6. Bag the emasculated spikes to prevent contamination from foreign pollen.

Pollination: On the next day, select a spike in which the anthers have begun to dehisce. Then
when pollen become visible, the spike is dusted on emasculated spike.