The Relationship between Styles and Locules in Loquat and its Relation to Seed Set and Abortion

This study investigated the relationship between styles and locules through observation seed set under manual control-pollination in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.). After hand-pollination with removal of 4 styles (only 1 style left), accordingly there are seeds only in one locule per fruit with 2 types of seed set patterns: 76.67% fruit had 2 normal seeds which are in accord with pattern I; 23.33% had only 1 normal seed but the other one degenerated which are in accord with pattern II. While all the ovules in other 4 lobules are unfertilized and in wilts; seed degradation rate is 11.67%.