Pollination biology of Geissomeria pubescens Nees (Acanthaceae) in a forest remnant in central Brazil

Botany ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Matias ◽  
Hélder Consolaro
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Pollination Biology ◽  
Energy Availability ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Forest Remnant ◽  
Fruit Formation ◽  
Nectar Availability

Specialized plants like those in genus Geissomeria Lindl. (Acanthaceae) seem to depend directly on pollination by hummingbirds for reproduction. The goal of this study was to investigate the pollination biology of Geissomeria pubescens Nees (Acanthaceae) in a forest fragment in the municipality of Catalão, state of Goiás, Brazil, including aspects of morphology, floral biology, energy availability from nectar, and reproductive system. Geissomeria pubescens has pendulous red flowers, tubular corolla, diurnal anthesis, and no odor. These floral traits characterize G. pubescens as an ornithophilous species. The total amount of energy available from nectar was 8.60 ± 2.87 cal·flower–1, and each individual produced up to 22.53 cal·day–1. Based on the resources offered by G. pubescens, the fragment studied may support up to 94.6 hummingbirds during the peak of nectar availability. Hummingbirds were the only flower visitors, and Thalurania furcata (Gmelin, 1788) was the main pollinator. Flowers from manual cross- and self-pollination treatments produced fruits, but fruit set was low compared with open pollination. These results, along with the lack of fruit set from agamospermy and spontaneous selfing, demonstrate the importance of hummingbirds for pollen flow and, consequently, for fruit formation in G. pubescens.

Pollination ecology of Caryocar brasiliense (Caryocaraceae) in Central Brazil cerrado vegetation

1993 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rogério Gribel ◽  
John D. Hay
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Cerrado Vegetation ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Glossophaga Soricina ◽  
Caryocar Brasiliense ◽  
Anoura Geoffroyi ◽  
Phyllostomus Discolor

ABSTRACTThe floral biology, breeding system and pollination of Caryocar brasiliense were studied in the cerrado vegetation of Central Brazil. The large, yellowish-cream, brush-like flowers are pollinated mainly by glossophagine bats (Glossophaga soricina and Anoura geoffroyi). Three non-glossophagine bats (Phyllostomus discolor, Vampyrops lineatus and Carollia perspicillata) and two short probosisced hawk moths (Erinyis ello and Pseudosphinx tetrio) may also act as occasional pollinators. Caryocar brasiliense is self-compatible although it sets significantly more fruits when crossed than when selfed. The natural fruit set (fruit/flower ratio) and seed set (seed/ovule ratio) are 3.1% and 1.0% respectively. Most of the fruits and seeds are formed through the action of the flower visitors, despite the fact that about 20% of the non-visited flowers receive self pollen on at least one stigma.

scholarly journals Breeding biology and distyly in Palicourea rigida H. B. & K. (Rubiaceae) in the Cerrados of Central Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 686-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana de Oliveira Machado ◽  
Ana Palmira Silva ◽  
Helder Consolaro ◽  
Mariluza A. Granja e Barros ◽  
Paulo Eugênio Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Palicourea Rigida ◽  
Floral Visitors ◽  
Compatible Pollen ◽  
Incompatibility Reactions

Distyly is a floral polymorphism more common among the Rubiaceae than in any other angiosperm group. Palicourea rigida is a typically distylous species of the Rubiaceae widely distributed in the Brazilian Cerrados. This work aimed to study the floral biology and breeding system of P. rigida in order to verify if there wasasymmetry between floral morphs. The work was carried out at Fazenda Água Limpa, Brasília-DF, from 1993 to 1995; and at Serra Caldas Novas State Park-Goias and in Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó de Uberlândia-Minas Gerais in 2005 and 2006. Density, height and pin/thrum ratio were assessed for flowering individuals in all areas. Plants were investigated for differences in floral morphology, nectar production, reproductive success and site of self incompatibility reactions. Blooming period was long and concentrated during the rains. Flowers were clearly distylous and with reciprocal herkogamy. They produced nectar and lasted for a single day. In spite of differences in density and height, populations were mostly isoplethic. Nectar production varied in volume and concentration but the differences could not be associated with floral morphs. The species is self-incompatible but reproductive success was always high and independent of floral morphs. There were differences in the site of incompatibility barriers between floral morphs, which were similar to those observed for other Rubiaceae. The main floral visitors and pollinators were the hummingbirds Colibri serrirostris and Eupetomena macroura. High fruit-set indicates that the pollinators transported enough compatible pollen grains between floral morphs, despite their territorial behavior.

scholarly journals BIOLOGIA FLORAL, CICLOS FENOLÓGICOS E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE FRUTOS DE DOIS CULTIVARES DE NOGUEIRA MACADÂMIA EM SÃO MANUEL – SP

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 562-572
Author(s):  
Rafael Bibiano Ferreira ◽  
Marcelo de Souza Silva ◽  
Jackson Mirellys Azevedo Souza ◽  
Joyce Helena Modesto ◽  
Sarita Leonel
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Flower Senescence ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
Macadamia Integrifolia ◽  
The City ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Fruit Formation ◽  
Made In

BIOLOGIA FLORAL, CICLOS FENOLÓGICOS E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE FRUTOS DE DOIS CULTIVARES DE NOGUEIRA MACADÂMIA EM SÃO MANUEL – SP   RAFAEL BIBIANO FERREIRA1, MARCELO DE SOUZA SILVA2, JACKSON MIRELLYS AZEVÊDO SOUZA3, JOYCE HELENA MODESTO4, SARITA LEONEL   1Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected]; 2Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected]; 3Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected]; 4Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected]; 5Departamento de Horticultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida Universitária, n° 3780, Altos do Paraíso, Botucatu – SP, Brasil, CEP 18610-034, e-mail: [email protected].   RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a biologia floral, os ciclos fenológicos e o desenvolvimento dos frutos de cultivares de nogueira macadâmia em São Manuel, SP. Utilizaram-se os cultivares HAES 344 e HAES 660. Quando em pleno florescimento, avaliou-se, nas inflorescências, o comprimento do racemo, o número total de flores e a porcentagem de flores em pré-antese, antese e senescentes. Para a avaliação dos ciclos fenológicos e desenvolvimento dos frutos, marcaram-se ramos com gemas intumescidas, as quais foram avaliadas até a formação e queda natural dos frutos. Após a emissão dos primeiros frutos, avaliou-se o número, o comprimento e o diâmetro em intervalos quinzenais. No final das avaliações, determinou-se o número total e a porcentagem de frutos maduros em relação ao número inicial de flores. Com base nos resultados, verifica-se que após o início do florescimento ocorre grande desuniformidade nos racemos das plantas, que se estendem durante todo período produtivo. ‘HAES 344’ e ‘HAES 660’ possuem estádios fenológicos semelhantes, em relação à época e duração dos mesmos. O maior crescimento dos frutos, de ambas as cultivares, ocorre entre 30 e 90 dias após a antese, enquanto que o maior abortamento concentra-se após a antese para o cultivar HAES 344.   Palavras-chaves: Macadamia integrifólia, fenologia, nozes, botânica.   FLORAL BIOLOGY, PHENOLOGICAL CYCLES AND FRUIT DEVELOPMENT OF TWO MACADAMIA WALNUT CULTIVARS IN SÃO MANUEL – SP   ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate floral biology, phenological cycles and fruit set development of macadamia cultivars in the city of São Manuel, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Therefore, two cultivars were evaluated such as HAES 344 and HAES 660. During full blooming period, the following analyses were made in inflorescences: raceme length; total flower number; the percentage of pre-anthesis, anthesis and flower senescence. For phenological cycles and fruit set development, swollen buds were marked on branches to be evaluated until fruit formation and ripe fruits fall. When fruits began to appear, their number, length and diameter were evaluated every fortnight. At the end of evaluations, the total number and percentage of ripe fruits were determined concerning the initial flower number. Results indicated that racemes began after flowering throughout the productive period. Also, HAES 344 and HAES 660 have similar phenological stages with regards to time and duration. Furthermore, the highest fruit growth of both cultivars occurred between 30 and 90 days after anthesis; however, the largest abortion was mainly concentrated after anthesis for HAES 344.   Keywords:Macadamia integrifólia, fenology, nuts, botany.

scholarly journals Floral resource availability of Dicliptera squarrosa (Acanthaceae) and its dependence on hummingbirds for fruit formation in a forest fragment of Central Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-77
Author(s):  
Raphael Matias ◽  
Marco Túlio Furtado ◽  
Silvia B. Rodrigues ◽  
Hélder Consolaro
Keyword(s):  
Mating Systems ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Flower Visitors ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Floral Resource

Background and aims – Hummingbirds are dependent and specialized on nectar-feeding, and many plants depend upon them for pollination. However, the degree of plant-pollinator interdependence varies greatly among species; thus, information on plant mating systems and availability of resources may help to clarify the dependence of interacting organisms. The goals of this study were to (1) quantify the floral resource available during the flowering of Dicliptera squarrosa Nees for comparison with other co-flowering ornithophilous species, and to (2) determine the importance of floral visitors for the reproductive success of this plant.Methods – Data collection was performed in a forest fragment within the urban perimeter of Catalão, Goiás, from September 2012 to August 2013. We investigated the flowering phenology, floral biology, nectar characteristics, flower visitors and mating systems of D. squarrosa. Additionally, we evaluated the amount of floral resource offered (number of flowers and energy in joules) by co-flowering ornithophilous species within an area of 6000 m2 for comparison with D. squarrosa.Key results – Dicliptera squarrosa presents flowers adapted to pollination by hummingbirds, which act as the sole pollinator group for flowers of this species. Flowering occurs from June to September and is synchronous with five other co-flowering species. During the months between July and September, D. squarrosa is the main food source for hummingbirds in the area, offering more floral resources than all of the other five ornithophilous species together. Plants of this species are self-compatible, but they depend on hummingbirds to transfer pollen; levels of autonomous autogamy were low.Conclusions – We suggest that D. squarrosa is an important species for maintaining hummingbirds in the forest fragment due to its high production of nectar resources. In addition, data on floral biology, flower visitors, and mating systems showed the importance of hummingbirds for reproduction of D. squarrosa, suggesting a mutualistic interaction between plant and hummingbirds.

scholarly journals Fruit set and yield of pear cultivars as affected by reduced bee pollination period

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Benedek ◽  
J. Varga
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Parthenocarpic Fruit ◽  
Flowering Period ◽  
Partial Reduction ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Bee Pollination ◽  
Significant Yield ◽  
Yield Formation ◽  
Fruit Formation

Results of our experiments prove that pear is more or less sensitive to the reduced bee pollination period. However, the reaction (or the sensitivity) of cultivars may be different to the reduced bee pollination. Most cultivars produce much less yield under reduced bee pollination or no yield with the exclusion of bees but in the case of some cultivars total exclusion of bees does not prevent the yield formation and what is more sometimes reduced bee pollination can be resulted in somewhat higher yield than open pollination. Typical reaction, however, is a significant yield reduction with reduced bee pollination. Pear seems to be somewhat less sensitive to the partial reduction of bee pollination period than apple or quince. The first half of the flowering period seems to be more important in yield formation because usually higher yield was resulted when pear cultivars received open pollination in the first than in the second half of the blooming period. Based on our experimental results no definite relationship between parthenocarpic capacity of cultivars and the yield under reduced bee pollination can be established. So reduced bee pollination does not seem to contribute the parthenocarpic fruit formation in pear.

Bees are supplementary pollinators of self-compatible chiropterophilous durian

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanuengnit Wayo ◽  
Chama Phankaew ◽  
Alyssa B. Stewart ◽  
Sara Bumrungsri
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Apis Dorsata ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Insect Pollination ◽  
Insect Pollinator ◽  
Southern Thailand ◽  
Floral Visitors

Abstract:Nocturnally foraging insects may be supplementary pollinators to chiropterophilous plant species when bats are scarce. Given that insects are much smaller than bats, they may be more effective at transferring pollen for plant species with similar stamen and pistil lengths, such as the ‘Monthong’ durian cultivar. The present study clarifies the role of insects in pollinating the ‘Monthong’ cultivar by examining the floral biology, conducting pollination treatments on 19 trees and observing floral visitors in southern Thailand. Stigmas were receptive by 17h00, and over 50% of ‘Monthong’ anthers had dehisced by 17h30. Several bee species began foraging on flowers during the late afternoon, and the giant honey bee (Apis dorsata) continued to visit throughout the night. Our results show that at 4 wk after pollination, the highest fruit set occurred from hand-crossed pollination (13.5%), followed by open pollination (5.5%), insect pollination (3.3%) and automatic autogamy (2.0%), indicating that this cultivar is highly self-incompatible. Moreover, insects appear to be important pollinators of ‘Monthong’ durian in areas where nectar bats visit infrequently. One bee species in particular,Apis dorsata, commonly foraged on flowers at dusk and appears to be the most effective insect pollinator of durian. Our findings highlight that nocturnally foraging bees are capable of securing pollination for night-blooming plant taxa, even those typically considered to be bat-pollinated.

Reproductive success of Acacia longifolia (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae) in native and invasive populations

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Correia ◽  
Sílvia Castro ◽  
Susana Rodríguez-Echeverría
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Reproductive Assurance ◽  
Acacia Species ◽  
Self Compatibility ◽  
Selfing Ability

The reproductive biology of exotic species affects their capacity to become naturalised and invasive in non-native areas. Selfing is a common trait in many invasive plants probably because it provides reproductive assurance under low availability of pollination vectors and sexual partners. Nonetheless, the predominantly self-incompatible Australian Acacia species are among the most aggressive plants worldwide. To address whether there have been changes in selfing ability and natural reproductive success of A. longifolia during invasion, we compared one population in the invaded area (Portugal) with one population in the native range (Australia). We specifically assessed floral traits, fruit set and offspring traits for selfing and open-pollination treatments. Within each pollination treatment, no differences were found between areas, suggesting that the level of self-compatibility has not changed during invasion. However, the number of aborted seeds and seed size were significantly different between pollination treatments in Australia but not in Portugal. There were significant differences in the number of seeds per pod and in seed weight between ranges. A lower number of aborted seeds, a higher number of fully developed seeds and a greater seed size were found in the invaded area for both pollination treatments. In spite of the low selfing ability of A. longifolia in the invaded area, there was an increase in the quantity and size of the seeds produced in the new region, even for self-pollinated fruits, which might contribute to A. longifolia invasiveness.

scholarly journals Pollination requirements of seeded and seedless mini watermelon varieties cultivated under protected environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isac Gabriel Abrahão Bomfim ◽  
Antônio Diego de Melo Bezerra ◽  
Alexandre Campos Nunes ◽  
Breno Magalhães Freitas ◽  
Fernando Antonio Souza de Aragão
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Cross Pollination ◽  
Diploid Pollen

The objective of this work was to evaluate the floral biology and pollination requirements of seeded and seedless mini watermelon varieties, and to determine the best varieties to cultivate under protected environment. Three seedless (HA-5106, HA-5158, and HA-5161) and two seeded (Minipol and Polimore) genotypes were tested. Flowers were monitored from the pre-anthesis stage to senescence, and fruit quality was also evaluated. The evaluated treatments were hand-geitonogamous pollination (MG), cross-pollination with pollen from the Polimore variety (MCP), cross-pollination with pollen from the Minipol variety (MCM), and restricted pollination. All varieties had monoecious plants with diclinous flowers, and the stigmas remained receptive throughout anthesis. Fruit set rates of 84.62% (MG), 61.54% (MCP), 48% (MCM), and 0% (restricted) were obtained for seeded varieties, but of 0% (MG), 76.36% (MCP), 82.69% (MCM), and 0% (restricted) for seedless varieties. Fruits did not differ in quality among treatments within each genotype. Therefore, all the studied varieties require a pollination agent and diploid pollen for fruit set to occur, regardless of the donor variety; and Minipol or Polimore with HA-5106 or HA-5158 are the varieties recommended for cultivation in protected environment.

scholarly journals The effect of pollenizer on the fruit set of plum cultivar Cacanska Najbolja

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragan Nikolic ◽  
Vera Rakonjac ◽  
Milica Fotiric-Aksic
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Germination ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
In Vitro Pollen Germination ◽  
Controlled Pollination ◽  
Very High

In this paper, during a 4-year period (2003-2006) effects of six pollenizers (President, Italian Prune, Stanley, Cacanska Rodna, Agen 707, and California Blue) on the degree of fruit set in the plum cultivar Cacanska Najbolja were examined. Besides the controlled pollination of this cultivar, open pollination was investigated. Functional pollen ability in pollenizer-cultivars was established by in vitro pollen germination. Degree of fruit set was determined comparing the number of fruit set (10 days after pollination, 21 days after pollination and number of harvested fruits) against the number of pollinated flowers. The results indicated that all pollenizer cultivars, studied in this paper, possessed satisfactory in vitro pollen germination (30.1-67.4%). The number of fruit set determined 10 days after pollination was very high and did not differ among pollenizers. Highly significant differences were found between the pollenizers in the number of fruit set 21 days after pollination and significant ones in relation to the number of harvested fruits. Compared to open pollination, higher number of fruit set 21 days after pollination and higher number of harvested fruits were obtained when cultivars Stanley (17.0%; 7.6%) and Italian Prune (14.6%; 6.9%) were used as pollenizers, therefore those cultivars are recommendable as good pollenizers for the cultivar Cacanska Najbolja.

scholarly journals Bumblebee Preadators Reduce Pollinator Density and Plant Fitness

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 94-97
Author(s):  
Reuven Dukas
Keyword(s):  
Food Reward ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Pollination Biology ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Plant Fitness ◽  
Predatory Activity ◽  
Selective Agents ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Pollination Systems

Research in pollination biology has focused on the interactions between animals and the flowers they visit for food reward. However, other selective agents, including predators, seed feeders and herbivores, may affect pollination systems. Because flowers are predictable food sources for a variety of species, flowers are also reliable sites at which predators can locate flower-visiting animals. Prominent among pollinators' predators are beewolves (Philanthus spp), common sphecid wasps (Sphecidae) that prey almost exclusively on bees. My field work over three years indicates, first, that an area of approximately 50 square km surrounding a single bumblebee wolf (Philanthus bicinctus) aggregation had a low bumblebee (Bombus spp) density caused by intense predation by the wasps, and, second, that fruit set of the bumblebee pollinated western monkshood (Aconitum columbianum) was significantly lower at locations and times of bumblebee wolf activity than at control locations and times with no such predatory activity. These results indicate that predation can sometimes alter plant­pollinator interactions.

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