scholarly journals Flowering of siberian peashrub (Caragana arborescens Lam.) and its forage value to pollinating insects

2014 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Stawiarz ◽  
Anna Wróblewska

<p class="abstracttekst">Under the conditions of Lublin (central-eastern Poland), observations were conducted on the flowering of <em>Caragana arborescens </em>shrubs for two growth seasons as well as nectar and pollen production by the flowers of this species was investigated.</p><p class="abstracttekst">The flowering period of <em>Caragana arborescens </em>began at the turn of April and May and lasted for 24 days, while for a single flower it was 6.30 ± 0.79 days. The average weight of nectar, sugars and pollen produced by 10 Siberian peashrub flowers was, respectively: 46.70 ± 8.39 mg, 22.79 ± 6.10 mg, and 4.45 ± 0.34 mg. The nectar sugar concentration amounted 49.60 ± 10.08%. Pollen grains reached average dimensions of 21.94 ± 0.76 µm x 21.52 ± 0.71 µm. During a growing season, one <em>Caragana arborescens</em> shrub can provide on average 101.8 g of nectar, 49.7 g of sugars, and 9.7 g of pollen.</p>

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Stawiarz ◽  
Anna Wróblewska

Abstract A study on the flowering biology and pollen production of the common laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides Med.) was conducted under the conditions of Lublin during the period 2004 - 2006. The flowering of this species began in the second 10-day period of May and lasted for 2.5 - 4 weeks. The flowers of common laburnum are borne in showy golden-yellow pendulous racemes. They develop successively, starting from the base and moving to the tip of an inflorescence. During the growing season, one shrub produces 800 to 3200 racemes, with 14 to 35 flowers in a single raceme. On average, the flowering duration for a raceme was 12.8 days and 8.7 days for a single flower. Throughout the study years, the shrubs proved to be most attractive in the third 10-day period of May when they reached full bloom. The average weight of pollen produced was 6.08 mg per 10 flowers of Laburnum anagyroides, 14.02 mg per raceme, and 26.0 g per shrub. Pollen grains reached average dimensions of 24.01 μm × 24.26 μm.


2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Bożek

The results presented in this paper relate to the time and duration of flowering of highbush blueberry as well as fruit set in the conditions of flower isolation and free visitation by pollinating insects. Observations were carried out in the years 2001- 2004 at a plantation located in Niemce near the city of Lublin. Six cultivars: 'Bluecrop', 'Bluejay', 'Croatan', 'Darrow', 'Northland' and 'Spartan', were covered by the study. The flowering period of the studied highbush blueberry cultivars was in May in three years of study, whereas in 2004 in May and June. Depending on the year, it lasted from 14 up to 21 days, on the average. Significant differences were found in the life span of a single flower which, depending on the cultivar and conditions prevailing during flowering, bloomed from 5 up to 10 days (the average for all the years for all the cultivars). With free access of pollinating insects, highbush blueberry set an average of 92 false-berries per 100 flowers, whereas only 40 during spontaneous self-pollination under the isolating cover. In each year of study, irrespective of atmospheric conditions prevailing during flowering as well as the time and duration of flowering, fruit set of the investigated cultivars in flowers freely accessible to pollinating insects should be considered to be good or very good.


2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna Rysiak ◽  
Beata Żuraw

<i>Eranthis hyemalis</i> belongs to the Ranunculaceae family whose representatives enrich early spring pollen flow and nectar for pollinating insects. Flowering biology and morphological characteristics flowers of winter aconite were studied. The forage value was estimated as the rate of nectar production. Observations were carried out between 2008 and 2011 in the Botanical Garden of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University located in the Lublin area. In the conditions of Lublin, flowering of winter aconite plants started at the beginning of February and lasted until the end of March. The seasonal bloom dynamics was strongly affected by maximum temperatures, which intensified flower blooming, and snowfalls which hampered this process. During the day, flowers opened between 8.00 am and 3.00 pm, but the highest intensity was between 10.00 am and 12.00 am. The process of pollen release, with the average number of 29 stamens shedding pollen in the flowers, lasted from 2 to 3 days. During the day the largest number of anthers opened at noon hours, between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm, though a certain rise in this number was also observed in the morning hours between 8.00 and 9.00 am. <i>Eranthis hyemalis</i> flowers develop funnel-shaped nectaries, on average 3-6 per flower. The determined amount of nectar per flower was 1.23 mg, while the concentration of sugars in it averaged 72.11%. The weight of nectar sugar per flower was 0.88 mg.


2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzena Masierowska

This 3-year study examined the seasonal and daily dynamics of blooming, as well as the nectar and pollen production in <i>Geranium sanguineum</i> L. Moreover, the type and localization of floral nectaries were observed using LM and SEM, and measurements of pollen grains were performed. The visitation of insects on flowers was monitored, too. <i>Geranium sanguineum</i> bloomed from the beginning of May until the middle of July with the peak occurring between the second and the fifth week of flowering period. Most of the flower buds opened on plants in the afternoon hours. Flowers are protandrous. In a flower, nectar is secreted by five phanarothetic-discoid nectaries and it flows through modified stomata. It was found that one gland is bigger than the others. Ten flowers produced 30.58 mg of highly concentrated nectar, on average. The mean mass of total sugars secreted in nectar per 10 flowers was 7.94 mg. Pollen mass per 10 flowers was 23.14 mg, on average. Tricolpate, spherical pollen grains can be classified as very big size (sporae permagne). Flowers of <i>G. sanguineum</i> were visited mainly by honey bees, bumble bees and flies. Insects collected mainly nectar.


1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. YEUNG ◽  
E. N. LARTER

A study of the pollen production properties of three hexaploid triticale strains (Triticale hexaploide Lart.) showed that their anther length was significantly greater than that of wheat anthers (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) and the estimated number of pollen grains per anther ranged from 15,000 to 21,000. In comparison, a total of 8000 grains per anther was estimated for wheat, cult Manitou. Eighty-nine percent anther extrusion occurred in triticale cult Rosner, while Manitou averaged 70% anther extrusion. The period of anthesis of triticale varied according to strain but generally was of longer duration than in Manitou and thereby promoted outcrossing. Using a triticale strain carrying a dominant marker gene, 50% seed-set was obtained at a distance of 12 m leeward of the pollen source; however, a small percentage was still obtained at a distance of 30 m. It would appear from the limited number of triticales used in this study that a wide range of variability exists within this species in its pollen production and disseminating properties. With appropriate selection pressures, strains with an outbreeding habit could be developed for the purpose of hybrid seed production.


1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 786-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Dale Adams

The temporal patterning of flowering of five sympatric species of Pedicularis in a subalpine meadow is documented. Two species bloom early in the growing season, one is intermediate, and two flower toward the later part of the season. The differences between species are related to the range of blooming periods (in days), the number of inflorescences at maximum bloom, and the time of peak bloom. No significant variation in flowering pattern occurred during the years of observation (1977, 1978, and 1979). More than 93% of the time individual bumblebees continued to forage on the same Pedicularis species as was previously visited; yet when switches in the diet of the bees occurred, they were more likely to be to another species of Pedicularis. Although individuals of other genera were in bloom, the bees switched to the Pedicularis species most synchronous in time and space to the previously preferred Pedicularis species. Counts were made of the number of pollen grains per flower, the reward for foraging bees. The last species to flower had the greatest reward but also had the largest ratio of the number of pollen grains to the number of ovules as compared with the previously flowering Pedicularis species. These results suggest that pollinator sharing is an important evolutionary force but that the quantity of the pollen reward may be more related to the number of ovules.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon Kim ◽  
Sun-Ho Kim ◽  
Dong-Min Shin ◽  
Soo-Hwan Kim

ATBS1-INTERACTING FACTOR 2 (AIF2) is a non-DNA-binding basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor. Here, we demonstrate that AIF2 negatively modulates brassinosteroid (BR)-induced, BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1)-mediated pollen and seed formation. AIF2-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants (AIF2ox) showed defective pollen grains and seed production while two AIF2 knockout mutants, aif2-1 and aif2-1/aif4-1, displayed opposite phenotypes. Genes encoding BZR1-regulated positive factors of seed size determination (SHB1, IKU1, MINI3) were suppressed in AIF2ox and genes for negative factors (AP2 and ARF2) were enhanced. Surprisingly, BZR1-regulated pollen genes such as SPL, MS1, and TDF1 were aberrantly up-regulated in AIF2ox plants. This stage-independent abnormal expression may lead to a retarded and defective progression of microsporogenesis, producing abnormal tetrad microspores and pollen grains with less-effective pollen tube germination. Auxin plays important roles in proper development of flower and seeds: genes for auxin biosynthesis such as TCPs and YUCCAs as well as for positive auxin signalling such as ARFs were suppressed in AIF2ox flowers. Moreover, lipid biosynthesis- and sucrose transport-related genes were repressed, resulting in impaired starch accumulation. Contrarily, sucrose and BR repressed ectopic accumulation of AIF2, thereby increasing silique length and the number of seeds. Taken together, we propose that AIF2 is negatively involved in pollen development and seed formation, and that sucrose- and BR-induced repression of AIF2 positively promotes pollen production and seed formation in Arabidopsis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43:1 ◽  
pp. 7350-7365
Author(s):  
Joseph Blaise Pando ◽  
Denis Djonwangwé ◽  
Olivier Balti Moudelsia ◽  
Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo ◽  
Joseph Lebel Tamesse

Pour déterminer la richesse spécifique, la fréquence relative, les produits alimentaires recherchés, les insectes pollinisateurs et l’impact de ces insectes sur les rendements, deux traitements ont été formés à partir du marquage de 240 boutons floraux en 2015 et 2017 chacun selon la présence ou l’absence de protection contre les insectes. Les observations ont été faites sur les fleurs de Abelmoschus esculentus en libre pollinisation du 11 au 22 septembre 2015 et du 7 au 19 septembre 2017 à Wourndé et Palar respectivement. La diversité spécifique des insectes floricoles de gombo était de 17 et 20 espèces respectivement à Wourndé et à Palar. L’indice de Jacard (J = 0,15) révèle une similarité entre les deux sites, preuve que les conditions environnementales sont similaires dans les deux habitats. Les insectes butinaient les fleurs du gombo de 8 h à 13 h, avec le pic de l’activité de l’ensemble de visites de ceux-ci situé entre 10 h et 11 h. Les insectes développaient un comportement très élaboré lors de la récolte du nectar et/ou du pollen et la consommation du pétale. On peut regrouper ces insectes en pollinisateur majeur (Lipotriches collaris), pollinisateurs mineurs [Sphecodes albilabris, Camponotus flavomarginatus, le Vespidae (1 sp.), Lasioglossum albilabris, Seladonia sp., Lasioglossum albipes, Lipotriches pulchriventris et le Formicidae (1 sp.)] et pollinisateurs occasionnels. La comparaison des rendements des fleurs non protégées à celui des fleurs protégées des insectes ont montré que les insectes ont un impact positif sur ce rendement. L’influence de ces insectes est estimée à 9,57%, 7,18% et 4,34% pour le taux de fructification, le nombre de graines/capsule et le pourcentage de graines normales respectivement. Afin d’améliorer le rendement de A. esculentus, il est conseillé de préserver les insectes floricoles non nuisibles dans les champs de gombo en évitant les traitements aux pesticides pendant la période de floraison lorsqu’ils ne se justifient pas. ABSTRACT To determine the species richness, the relative frequency, desired food products, the pollinating insects and impact of these insects on the yields, two treatments were formed from the marking of 240 flower buds in 2015 and 2017, differentiated according to the presence or absence of protection against insect’s activities. Observations were made on free-pollinated Abelmoschus esculentus flowers from 11 to 22 September 2015 and from 7 to 19 September 2017 in Wourndé and Palar respectively. The specific diversity of the flowering insects of okra was 17 and 20 species respectively in Wourndé and Palar. The Jacard index (J = 0.15) reveals a similarity between the two sites, proof that the environmental conditions are similar in both habitats. The insects foraged the flowers of the okra from 8h to 13h, with the peak of the activity of the set of visits of them located between 10 h and 11 h. The insects developed a much elaborated behaviour during the harvest of the nectar and / or the pollen and the consumption of petal. These insects can be grouped into major pollinators (Lipotriches collaris), minor pollinators [Sphecodes albilabris, Camponotus flavomarginatus, Vespidae (1 sp.), Lasioglossum albilabris, Seladonia sp., Lasioglossum albipes, Lipotriches pulchriventris and Formicidae (1 sp.)).] and occasional pollinators. By comparing the yield of unprotected flowers to that of insect-protected flowers, it appeared that insects have a positive impact on this yield. The influence of these insects is estimated at 9.57 %, 7.18 % and 4.34 % for the fruiting rate, the number of seeds / capsule and the percentage of normal seeds respectively. To improve the yield of A. esculentus, it is advisable to preserve the flower-dwelling insects in okra fields by avoiding pesticide treatments during the flowering period when they are not justified.


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 508
Author(s):  
Jie Qiu ◽  
Chao Gao ◽  
Hongli Wei ◽  
Biao Wang ◽  
Yang Hu ◽  
...  

To study the flowering biology of Rhododendron pulchrum, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and paraffin sectioning to observe the microstructures of its floral organs, a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay to detect pollen viability in different periods, continuous observations to study flowering phenology, and artificial pollination and a benzidine-hydrogen peroxide method to determine stigma receptivity. R. pulchrum exhibited a centralized flowering phenology. The protogynous stigmas of R. pulchrum were able to receive pollen before flowering. The pollen grains of R. pulchrum fused into tetrads, the average ratio of the polar axis length to the equatorial axis length (P/E) was 1.05, and the pollen viability was highest in the initial flowering period, reaching 88.98%. The pollen/ovule (P/O) ratio was 266–328, and the outcrossing index (OCI) was 4; the vitality of R. pulchrum pollen remained high in the initial flowering and blooming periods. Compared with the lifespan of a single flower, pollen vitality remained high for most of the experimental period, thereby improving male fitness. The P/O ratio suggests that R. pulchrum may have a facultative outcrossing breeding system. The OCI estimation suggests that R. pulchrum is partially self-compatible, most likely requiring pollinators to complete pollination.


2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viola Devasirvatham ◽  
Pooran M. Gaur ◽  
Nalini Mallikarjuna ◽  
Raju N. Tokachichu ◽  
Richard M. Trethowan ◽  
...  

High temperature during the reproductive stage in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a major cause of yield loss. The objective of this research was to determine whether that variation can be explained by differences in anther and pollen development under heat stress: the effect of high temperature during the pre- and post-anthesis periods on pollen viability, pollen germination in a medium, pollen germination on the stigma, pollen tube growth and pod set in a heat-tolerant (ICCV 92944) and a heat-sensitive (ICC 5912) genotype was studied. The plants were evaluated under heat stress and non-heat stress conditions in controlled environments. High temperature stress (29/16°C to 40/25°C) was gradually applied at flowering to study pollen viability and stigma receptivity including flower production, pod set and seed number. This was compared with a non-stress treatment (27/16°C). The high temperatures reduced pod set by reducing pollen viability and pollen production per flower. The ICCV 92944 pollen was viable at 35/20°C (41% fertile) and at 40/25°C (13% fertile), whereas ICC 5912 pollen was completely sterile at 35/20°C with no in vitro germination and no germination on the stigma. However, the stigma of ICC 5912 remained receptive at 35/20°C and non-stressed pollen (27/16°C) germinated on it during reciprocal crossing. These data indicate that pollen grains were more sensitive to high temperature than the stigma in chickpea. High temperature also reduced pollen production per flower, % pollen germination, pod set and seed number.


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