. Average temperature and relative humidity
levels ranged from 10 to 32 ◦C and 70 to 98%, respectively.
Pests and pathogens were controlled by spraying 0.1% Carbendazim
(Shandong Huayang Techlonogy Co. Ltd.) and 0.2% Dimethoate
(Guangzhou Insecticide Factory) at two-week intervals. According
to initial trials, setting percentage and seed viability from selfpollination
were not significantly different to cross-pollination,
therefore, the flowers from 2-year-old adult plants were labeled
and artificially self-pollinated by transferring pollen onto the
stigma of the same flower as they became fully opened. Seed capsules
were collected at different development stages and were
surface sterilized by dipping into 70% (v/v) ethanol for 2 min, followed
by agitation for 15 min in a sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)
solution containing 2% available chlorine and 0.05% (v/v) Tween
20, after which the capsules were then rinsed five times with sterile
distilled water.