scholarly journals Wind to insect pollination ratios and floral traits in five alpine Salix species

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liza Peeters ◽  
Ørjan Totland
Keyword(s):  
Plant Traits ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Wind Pollination ◽  
Pollen Production ◽  
Insect Pollination ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Nectar Content

This study examines the ratio of wind to insect pollination of five alpine-arctic Salix species and possible correlations between plant traits and this ratio. The field work was done in an alpine area in southwest Norway, at an elevation of 1250 m. Female catkins were enclosed within mesh cloth to prevent insect visitation, and their fruit set was determined and compared with that of open-pollinated control catkins. Simultaneously, pollen production per anther, pollen dispersal, standing crop of nectar, flower length, number of flowers per catkin, and catkin length were measured. The amount of wind pollination of the species varied from 2 to 52%. All species spread pollen in the air. Nectar content, catkin length, flower number, and flower length showed a negative relationship with the percentage of wind pollination. Significant negative linear correlations between female catkin length and flower length and amount of wind pollination were detected. Pollen production per anther did not show any relationship to the pollination system. We suggest that the evolution to insect pollination in alpine Salix species may have resulted in a lengthening of anthers and pistils, and an increase in nectar production.Key words: alpine, anemophily, entomophily, floral traits, pollination, Salix.

Study on floral traits and seed setting in parental lines of hybrid rice during early ahu and kharif seasons

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aradhana Phukan ◽  
P. K. Barua ◽  
D. Sarma ◽  
S. D. Deka
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Flag Leaf ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Pollen Sterility ◽  
Leaf Length ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Opening Angle ◽  
Leaf Angle ◽  
Seed Setting ◽  
Parental Lines

Two CMS lines, IR 58025A and IR 68888A along with their maintainers and two fertility restorers, LuitR and IR 36R, were evaluated for flower and plant characters during early ahu (February-June) and kharif (July-November) seasons. IR 58025A showed longer stigmata and styles, and higher spikelet Length/Breadth (L/B) ratio while IR 68888A showed broader stigmata and wider glume opening angle in both the seasons. IR 68888A also exhibited higher pollen sterility during early ahu. IR 36R was characterized with broad anthers. LuitR showed longer and broader anthers with more pollen than others. Plant height, flag leaf length, flag leaf width and area were higher in IR 36R. Panicle exsertion was complete in pollen parents whereas it was 78-80% in CMS lines. The widest flag leaf angle was found in IR 58025B during early Ahu and in IR 36R during kharif. Kharif season was more favourable for growth of the plants with higher seed set percentage while floral traits of the CMS lines were better expressed in early Ahu. Manipulation of the seeding sequence of the parental lines in early Ahu is warranted for better seed set provided the seed crop escapes heavy premonsoon showers during reproductive stage. IR 68888A/LuitR was a good combination for pollen dispersal and seed setting.

scholarly journals Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) Crop Performance, Insect Pollinators, and Pollen Dispersal in the Northeastern US

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Rizzitello ◽  
Chuan-Jie Zhang ◽  
Carol Auer
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Camelina Sativa ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Oilseed Crop ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Pollinating Insects

AbstractCamelina sativa (camelina) is an oilseed crop in the Brassicaceae that has been genetically engineered for the production of biofuels, dietary supplements, and other industrial compounds. Cultivation in North America is both recent and limited, so there are gaps in knowledge regarding yield, weed competition, and pollen-mediated gene flow. For these experiments, camelina ‘SO-40’ was grown for three years without weed control. Spring-sown camelina was harvested at 80-88 days with ∼1200 growing degree days (GDD) with yields of 425-508 kg/hectare. Camelina yields were the same with or without weeds, showing competitive ability in low-management conditions. Crop failure in 2015 was associated with delayed rainfall and above-average temperatures after seeding. Camelina flowers attracted pollinating insects from the Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera. Hymenoptera included honey bees (Apis melifera), mining bees (Andrenidae), sweat bees (Halictidae), bumble bees (Bombus spp.) and leaf cutter bees (Megachilidae). Insect visitation on camelina flowers was associated with modest increases in seed yield. Honey bees comprised 28-33% of all pollinators and were shown to carry camelina pollen on their legs. Air sampling showed that wind-blown pollen was present at low concentrations at 9 m beyond the edges of the field. These experiments demonstrated for the first time that camelina pollen dispersal could occur through honey bees or wind, although bee activity would likely be more significant for long-distance gene flow.

scholarly journals The Flowering, Pollen Production, and Insect Visitors in the Ornamental Shrub Potentilla Fruticosa L. (Rosaceae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bożena Denisow ◽  
Sebastian Antoń ◽  
Grażyna Szymczak
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Pollen Production ◽  
Flowering Pattern ◽  
Potentilla Fruticosa ◽  
Full Flowering ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Pollen Productivity ◽  
Ornamental Shrub ◽  
Insect Visitors

Summary Urban areas have a specific ecological environment and may help to sustain local pollinator populations by the cultivation of different ornamental plants with entomophilous flowers. This yearlong study examined the flowering pattern, abundance of flowering, pollen production as well as insect visitation of two cultivars of the ornamental shrub Potentilla fruticosa L. (‘Maanleys’ and ‘Blink’), grown in Lublin; a city in south-eastern Poland. P. fruticosa ‘Maanleys’ bloomed from the middle of May to the first decade of September and P. fruticosa ‘Blink’ from June until October. The pattern of diurnal flowering was similar for both cultivars and showed plasticity in the season. Flowers opened most intensively in the morning hours, and 80 - 90% of the daily installment of newly opened flowers expanded by 8.00 h GMT +2h. A delay in the peak of diurnal flowering was noted between the spring/summer and summer/autumn periods. The most intense blooming fell in the 2nd month of flowering. The mass of pollen produced per flower depended on both the number of anthers and the efficiency of archesporial tissues. The pollen output varied from 1.4 to 7.2 mg per 10 flowers (‘Maanleys’) and from 2.6 to 4.5 mg per 10 flowers (‘Blink’). The mass of pollen produced per individual shrub was substantially related to the abundance of blooming. The average estimated pollen productivity in the full flowering phase was low; 1 g (‘Maanleys’) and 1.5 g (‘Blink’) per 10 m2 of shrub crown. The flowers of Potentilla fruticosa attracted numerous insects, mainly solitary bees (33 - 43%), dipterans (31 - 42%), lepidopterans (4 - 14%), bumblebees (3 - 15%), and honey bees (3 - 4%). The Potentilla fruticosa ‘Maanleys’ and ‘Blink’ are propagated for specific ornamental arrangements and due to a long flowering period may be used in small urban courtyards for both decorative value and as a pollen delivering plants.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird and its major food plants: ranges, flowering phenology, and migration

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert I. Bertin
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Insect Pollination ◽  
Major Food ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Herbarium Data ◽  
And Migration

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (or rubythroat, Archilochus colubris) and several of its major food plants were examined to assess the importance of rubythroat versus insect pollination, the overlap of geographical ranges, and the synchrony between migration and flowering times. Seed set of Impatiens biflora was increased 8–17% by rubythroat and insect visitation over the level achieved by insects alone. The rubythroat's range is not contiguous with that of any of 22 putative food plants examined, but is nearly coincident with the range of certain forest types, perhaps reflecting the importance of sap for food. A new method was developed to estimate peak flowering times of plants from herbarium data. Based on these data and field observations, only one rubythroat food plant (Impatiens biflora) had peak flowering times close to peak rubythroat migration times throughout their shared range. Rubythroats and their North American food plants are facultative mutualists, with the plants apparently having been evolutionarily more labile.

scholarly journals Variation in context dependent foraging behavior across pollinators

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Briggs ◽  
Stuart Graham ◽  
Callin M. Switzer ◽  
Robin Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Flower Color ◽  
Color Preference ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Floral Display ◽  
Floral Trait ◽  
Color Preferences ◽  
Natural Field

Pollinator foraging behavior has direct consequences for plant reproduction and has been implicated in driving floral trait evolution. Exploring the degree to which pollinators exhibit flexibility in foraging behavior will add to a mechanistic understanding of how pollinators can impact selection on plant traits. Although plants have evolved suites of floral traits to attract pollinators, flower color is a particularly important aspect of the floral display. Some pollinators show strong innate color preference, but many pollinators display flexibility in preference due to learning associations between rewards and color, or due to variable perception of color in different environments or plant communities. This study examines the flexibility in flower color preference of two groups of native butterfly pollinators under natural field conditions. Our study reveals that pipevine swallowtails and skippers, the predominate pollinators of the two native Texas Phlox species, display distinct patterns of color preferences across different contexts. Pipevine swallowtails exhibit highly flexible color preferences and likely utilize other floral traits to make foraging decisions. In contrast, skippers have consistent color preferences and likely use flower color as a primary cue for foraging. As a result of this variation in color preference flexibility, the two pollinator groups impose concordant selection on flower color in some contexts but discordant selection in other contexts. This variability could have profound implications for how flower traits respond to pollinator-mediated selection. Our findings suggest that studying dynamics of behavior in natural field conditions is important for understanding plant-pollinator interactions.

scholarly journals Morphology of Anemone sylvestris L. flower (Ranunculaceae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bożena Denisow ◽  
Sebastian Antoń ◽  
Małgorzata Wrzesień
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Starch Accumulation ◽  
Pollination Syndrome ◽  
Wind Pollination ◽  
Intermediate Form ◽  
Protected Species ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Opening And Closing

Abstract During the monitoring of populations of Anemone sylvestris L. (Ranunculaceae), a protected species in Poland, we found that the seed set is impaired. The flower is considered an adaptation that has coevolved to achieve effective pollination and successful fertilization. Therefore we have focused on the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the flowers of A. sylvestris L. as a prelude to the study of the species’ pollination biology and plant breeding system. The large size of the flower (50.6 ± 16.4 mm in dimensions) and its bowl shape fulfil both the biotic pollination syndrome and the aerodynamic requirements for pollen dispersal and capture. The opening and closing of the perianth provide a shelter for beetles. The odourless perianth, absence of nectar, scarcity of pollen (approximately 200 000 pollen grains per flower) and its traits - small size (axis P = 18.52 ± 1.0 μm; E = 16.59 ± 0.9 μm), lack of balsam on the exine surface, starch accumulation in more than 95% of pollen grains correspond to the specialization in anemophily. The stigma is papillous, the dense hairs are situated between single carpels indicating adaptation to capturing dry pollen and specialization in the wind pollination syndrome. The flower of A. sylvestris is an example for an intermediate form between entomophily and anemophily, i.e. a secondary and more advanced feature among Ranunculaceae.

scholarly journals Nectar and Pollen Production and Insect Visitation on Ornamentals from the Genus Hosta Tratt. (Asparagaceae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Bożek ◽  
Monika Strzałkowska-Abramek ◽  
Bożena Denisow
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Polar View ◽  
Shape Index ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Pollen Production ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Perianth Tube

Abstract Properly arranged ornamental gardens in both urban and agricultural landscapes can be of a benefit to bees. In this study, we observed the flowering phenology, nectar, and pollen production of the ornamental Hosta species and varieties (H. sieboldiana Engler, H. capitata Nakai, H. crispula Maekawa, H. fluctuans Maekawa, syn. H. sieboldiana var. fluctuans hort., H. undulata var. univittata Miquel (Hylander), syn. H. univittata). Our experiment was conducted in the 2012 - 2014 time period, at the UMCS Botanical Garden in Lublin, Poland (51° 14’ N, 21° 34’ E). The total sugar yield varied almost 5-fold among Hosta ornamentals; the lowest amount was calculated for H. fluctuans (2.31 g per 10 m2) and the highest for H. capitata (11.80 g per 10 m2). The average pollen yield was from 0.24 g per 10 m2 (H. undulata var. univittata) to 9.53 g per 10 m2 (H. capitata). Pollen grains were bilaterally symmetrical, and large-sized. In polar view, they were prolatum (shape index 1.33 - 1.61), while in equatorial view, oblatum (shape index 0.5 - 0.7). Hosta species can complete the summer pasture mainly for bumblebees. In four of the five Hosta representatives, bumblebees accounted for 60 - 70% of the total visits. The honeybee predominated only on the flowers of H. capitata (54 - 71%). Solitary bees were rarely observed (3 - 9% of visits). The phenotypic traits of Hosta flowers (the accumulation of nectar in the deep and narrow perianth tube) reduced the access to nectar reward and restricted an array of insect visitors.

Analysis of pollination neighbourhood size using spatial analysis of pollen and seed production in broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia)

Botany ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan E. Ahee ◽  
Wendy E. Van Drunen ◽  
Marcel E. Dorken
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Typha Latifolia ◽  
Clonal Plant ◽  
Pollen Production ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Cross Correlations ◽  
Pollination Mode

The size of pollination neighbourhoods has important consequences for mating patterns, seed production, gene flow, and patterns of genetic variation across populations. We examined the size of the pollination neighbourhood in a stand of a wind-pollinated clonal plant (Typha latifolia L.; broadleaf cattail) by evaluating spatial patterns of pollen production and seed set by individual shoots. We then simulated spatial patterns of pollen availability to investigate the shape of the pollen dispersal curve. We detected significant positive spatial autocorrelations in seed set over distances up to 5 m. This spatial variation in patterns of seed set appeared to be driven by the local availability of pollen: we found significant cross-correlations between pollen production and seed set over distances of approximately 2 m. The simulations supported this inference; simulated pollen dispersal curves fit observed patterns of seed set when ∼99% of pollen was assumed to disperse over distances less than 2 m. Together, these results indicate that the majority of pollination events occur within very close proximity of pollen sources in T. latifolia. Although within-shoot selfing has long been assumed to be a major pollination mode in T. latifolia, our data indicate that pollination events in the stand were more likely to have involved between-shoot pollination.

scholarly journals Wind to insect pollination ratios and floral traits in five alpine Salix species

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liza Peeters ◽  
Ørjan Totland
Keyword(s):  
Floral Traits ◽  
Insect Pollination

How important is biotic pollination and dispersal to the success of the angiosperms?

1991 ◽  
Vol 333 (1267) ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Wind Pollination ◽  
Insect Pollination ◽  
Gene Dispersal ◽  
Regeneration Phase ◽  
Stressful Environments

The rise to dominance of the angiosperms has frequently been hypothesized to be due to reproductive innovations, especially those involving coevolution with biotic gene dispersers. Wind pollination is considered inefficient in comparison with insect pollination. The scope for speciation is considered to be greater when biotic gene dispersers are involved. The biogeographical restriction of extant conifers to stressful environments is also considered to be due to the inefficiency of wind pollination in species-rich environments. We consider both fossil and contem porary evidence and conclude that biotic gene dispersal has not been as im portant as have innovations affecting growth rates in explaining the rise of angiosperms. We conclude that differences in growth rates, especially in the regeneration phase, can explain the rise of the angiosperms and the extant biogeography of gymnosperms.

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