Role of stigmatic fluid in ovary growth and senescence of pollinated Dendrobium flowers

Pollination induced an increase in ethylene production concomitantly with ovary growth, epinasty, drooping, changes in venation and fading of the colour of the flowers of Dendrobium ‘Pompadour’. Removal of stigmatic fluid prior to pollination significantly reduced ovary growth, while ethylene production, epinasty, drooping, venation and colour of pollinated flowers were not significantly affected. Removal of stigma fluid had no effect on ovary growth of non-pollinated flowers treated with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC ), but significantly reduced the ovary growth of non-pollinated flowers induced by the application of napthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The effect of stigmatic fluid on ovary growth of pollinated flowers is discussed.