Jayoti Devi, Priya Sharma, Pratibha Magotra and Namrata Sharma
Abstract
Abortion of ovule leading to lowering of seed set or seedlessness. A number of mechanisms have been suggested to occur side by side, creating a sort of âgenetic sieveâ which leads to development of certain embryo genotypes preferentially. These include lack of pollination, Parent-offspring conflict and sibling rivalry as internal. Several species invariably practicing obligate ovule abortion. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. (family-Lamiaceae) falls in this category. It is known by several vernacular names (American Mint, Ganga Tulsi, Vilaiyti Tulsi, Bustrena and Kallu Thumbai); an important invader of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The species behaves as a self-pollinated plant in the tropical climes of study area i.e., Jammu province of UT of J&K, India. Present work is done to explore the details of the process of ovule abortion and its implications for the invasiveness of this species.