Studies on Floral Biology in Kakrol (Momordica Cochinchinensis Spreng)

The floral biological studies of kakrol were carried out under the hot and humid climatic conditions of Croog at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Horticultural Experiment Station, Chethalli, Coorg, during October, 1975. Kakrol is a rainy season crop and bears flowers during June-July to October—November. The male flower bud takes 22–24 days from visible initiation to full blooming while the female bud takes 19–22 days to full bloom. The anthesis commences in both female and male buds at 5.50 am and 6.20 am with peak at 5.50 am and 6.50 am respectively. The anther dehiscence commences at 10.45 pm and was complete at 12.0 night with peak at 11.0 pm. The stigma was receptive upto eighteen hour's before and after anthesis with the most receptive condition from the time of anthesis upto twelve hours before and after anthesis.