STUDIES ON FLOWER INITIATION IN 'BINI' (FALSE HORN) PLANTAINS IN NIGERIA

T.O.C. Ndubizu, J.C. Obiefuna, A.E. Manufor
The apical buds of Bini plantains at leaf stages 19 to 38 were sectioned and examined. The development of dome shape configuration at the apex signifying the onset of flora initiation was first noticed at the 24th leaf stage. Between the 24th and the 30th leaf stage, variations in the shape of the apex from a levelled outline (a transitional stage from the concave shape of the purely vegetative to the dome formation of the floral phase) to variously defined domes became obvious.

Before the 24th leaf stage plantains were apparently in the vegetative phase of growth. Pronounced apical dome shape was evident at the 26th-28th leave stages. Before the 31st leaf stage, there were no substantial primary growth in the true stem as all apical buds were still located below ground. Growth of the true stem leading to the lifting of the developing flower occurred after the 34th leaf stage.

Ndubizu, T.O.C., Obiefuna, J.C. and Manufor, A.E. (1983). STUDIES ON FLOWER INITIATION IN 'BINI' (FALSE HORN) PLANTAINS IN NIGERIA. Acta Hortic. 123, 137-146
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1983.123.12
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1983.123.12

Acta Horticulturae