Article

Ecological Distribution, Reproductive Characteristics, and In Situ Conservation of Malus sieversii in Xinjiang, China

Meiling YangCollege of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China; and College of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, ChinaFang LiCollege of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, ChinaHong LongCollege of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, ChinaWeiwei YuCollege of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, ChinaXiuna YanCollege of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, ChinaBin LiuCollege of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, ChinaYunxiu ZhangCollege of Horticulture and Landscape, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, ChinaGuorong YanCollege of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, ChinaWenqin SongCollege of Life Sciences, NanKai University, Tianjin 300071, China

2016en

ABI

Abstract

As a wild apple species native to central Asia, Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) Roem. is distributed in a wide region covering most of the Tienshan Mountains. Malus sieversii is a useful genetic pool for apple breeding since rich with diversity. In this paper, we first describe the species range of this endangered species. We then describe an in situ reserve that has been established. We also investigated some reproductive characteristics of M. sieversii including pollen germination, seed dormancy, and seed viability. Both stratification and seedcoat removal efficiently released seed dormancy and accelerated seed germination. Pollen germination rate is around 60%. Our data suggest that injurious insects and human activities, rather than reproductive characters, limit the renewal of M. sieversii.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.21273/hortsci10952-16

Citations and references

Cited by 20 references

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