Studies on esterase and peroxidase activity of carissa carandas linn. in relation to stigma receptivity

The present investigation revealed the esterase and peroxidase activity in relation to stigma receptivity of Carissa carandas Linn. , a medicinally important plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae with a view to find out the stigma receptive period and correlation of stigma receptivity with the activity of esterase and peroxidase on stigma surface in order to provide information for fertilization as a basis for plant breeding programme. It Flowered during March to July and opened at 17:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs generally, but sporadic flower opening took place throughout the night. Anthers dehisced by longitudinal slit after flower opening. Single flower produced about 5160 pollen grains. Stigma was wet-papilate and above the anther level. The non-specific esterases and peroxidase were present densely all over the surface on the stigmatic head and in scattered manner just below the stigmatic head which may act in facilitating in vivo germination. Stigma showed maximum receptivity (66%) with mean pollen tube length 219µm after 3 hrs of anthesis, however stigma receptivity retained upto drooping stage to some extent. Prominent presence of esterase and peroxidase were observed during higher receptive period.