scholarly journals Floral phenology, floral rewards and insect visitation in an ornamental species Geranium platypetalum Fisch. and C. A. Mey., Geraniaceae

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzena Masierowska

This 4-year study examined the flowering pattern, floral display, nectar and pollen production as well as insect visitation to a perennial <i>Geranium platypetalum</i> Fisch. and C. A. Mey. <i>G. platypetalum</i> bloomed from the end of May until the end of June. The pattern of flowering shows the skewed distribution with a tendency towards a more symmetrical curve. The flower display size fluctuated during the flowering season. The most intense blooming fell in the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> flowering week. The flowers exhibit incomplete protandry. Nectar productivity differed significantly between and stage of flower development. Ten and flowers secreted 29.8 mg and 17.6 mg of nectar, on average, respectively, with mean sugar content of 33.9% and 43.1%. The mean total sugar mass in nectar was similar for both stages and the values were 10.2 mg and 8.2 mg, respectively. Pollen mass per 10 flowers was 19.06 mg. Bees (Apoidea) were the principal visitors on <i>Geranium</i> flowers. The peak of daily activity of visitors occurred between 10.00 and 14.00 hrs. The insects gathered mainly nectar. The mean visiting rate was 0.149 visit per flower×min<sup>-1</sup>. Increased use of <i>G. platypetalum</i> in parks and gardens is recommended in order to enrich the nectar pasture for <i>A. mellifera</i> and wild Apoidea.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandita Sarker ◽  
Muhammed Alamgir Zaman Chowdhury ◽  
Abu Naieum Muhammad Fakhruddin ◽  
Zeenath Fardous ◽  
Mohammed Moniruzzaman ◽  
...  

The present study was undertaken to determine the heavy metal levels and the physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and ash, moisture, and total sugar content) of honeys from Bangladesh. Three different floral honeys were investigated, namely, khalsi (Aegiceras corniculatum), mustard (Brassica juncea), and litchi (Litchi chinensis) honeys. The heavy metals in the honeys were determined by using a High Temperature Dry Oxidation method followed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The mean pH, EC, and ash, moisture, and total sugar contents of the investigated honeys were 3.6, 0.51 mS/cm, 0.18%, 18.83%, and 68.30%, respectively. Iron was the most abundant among all the investigated heavy metals, ranging from 13.51 to 15.44 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of Mn and Zn in the investigated honeys were 0.28 mg/kg and 2.99 mg/kg, respectively. Cd was below the detection limit, and lead was found in some honey samples, but their contents were below the recommended Maximum Acceptable Level. Cr was also found in all of the samples, but its concentration was within the limit. The physicochemical analysis of the honey samples yielded levels within the limits set by the international honey legislation, indicating that the honey samples were of good quality and had acceptable values for maturity, purity, and freshness.


2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzena Masierowska

This 3-year study examined the flowering phenology, to- tal floral display, nectar and pollen production as well as bee visitation to the ornamental shrub <em>Deutzia </em>x <em>carnea </em>(Lem.) Rehd. <br /><em>D. </em>x <em>carnea </em>bloomed from early June until the middle of July. The total flower display reached 47927 flowers per plant. The number of developed flowers strongly depended on weather conditions before and during the flowering period and fluctuated significantly during the years of study. The flower of <em>D</em>. x <em>carnea </em>lived 5 days and the persistence of an inflorescence was 11 days. <br />Nectar productivity per 10 flowers differed significantly between the years of study and ranged between 15.7 and <br />40.14 mg. Mean sugar content in nectar was 39.7%. The total sugar mass in nectar per 10 flowers averaged 9.91 mg (range: <br />3.81 – 18.91 mg). Pollen mass per 10 flowers was 16.89 mg. The estimated sugar and pollen productivity per plant was 36.8 g and <br />40 g, respectively. <br />Among bees (Apoidea), honey bees were principal visitors on <em>Deutzia </em>flowers. The peak of daily activity of honey bees and bumblebees occurred between 11.00 and 15.00 hrs, whereas the presence of other wild bees was noted in the morning and in the late afternoon. All bees gathered mainly nectar, but pollen collectors were also noted. The mean daily visiting rate was 0.0809 visits per flower × min<sup>-1</sup>. <br />The use of this shrub in gardens and parks should be encouraged in order to enrich food pasture for urban Apoidea. However, its cultivation is limited to areas of mild climate and adequate water supply.


1989 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-122
Author(s):  
Aino-Maija Evers

The effects of different fertilization practices on the glucose, fructose, sucrose, taste and texture of carrot cv. Nantes Duke Notabene 370 Sv were studied in field experiments carried out in southern Finland in 1985 and 1986. The effects of unirrigated and irrigated placement and broadcast fertilization, NPK fertirrigations without basic fertilization, NPK fertirrigations with NPK basic fertilization, and PK placement with N fertirrigations were compared. Further, the effects of single application were compared with those of split applications. Sugar analyses were made by high performance liquid chromatography, and sensory evaluations were performed for taste and texture. The results were analysed by contrast analysis. In 1985, fertilization and fertilization practices had no effects on sugar contents. In 1986, the unfertilized treatments had a tendency to yield higher glucose and fructose, and thus also total sugar contents than did the fertilized treatments on the average. Placement fertilization had a tendency to increase the glucose content as compared to NPK fertirrigations. No significant differences or tendencies were found in sucrose content. The glucose and fructose contents were higher in 1985 than in 1986. The sucrose content was mainly opposite, being higher in 1986.Weather conditions were more favourable for photosynthesis in 1986 than in 1985. The mean total sugar content in fresh weight was 7.8 % in 1985 and 6.7 % in 1986. Indicative results of taste and texture are presented. The sugar content in organically cultivated carrots did not differ from that of conventionally grown carrots, but the taste was worse.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Dmitruk ◽  
Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska ◽  
Aneta Sulborska

Abstract Dracocephalum moldavica is a valuable reward plant for flower visitors. The aim of the study was to ecologically characterise its flowers and leaves and assess the seasonal and daily dynamics of flowering in two white- and blue-flowered forms of this species in 2004 and 2005. Additionally, the duration and abundance of plant flowering as well as the nectar amount and sugar content were analysed. The signalling attractants of the plant include an intense scent emitted by trichomes located not only on its flowers but also on its stem and leaf surfaces. The average corolla length is 24 mm and the corolla tube, which can be completely filled with nectar, is 8.6 mm long. The floral lifespan was shown to reach 2-3 days and the mean blooming duration of both forms of dragonhead 45-48 days. The white-flowered plants produced a substantially greater number of flowers (5352) than the blue-flowered form (2965). The nectar amount obtained from ten blue flowers was 15.33 mg and that extracted from white flowers reached 17.56 mg, with 49.4% and 51.5% content of sugar, respectively. The total sugar mass produced by one white-flowered plant was 4656 mg, while one blue-flowered plant yielded 2164 mg of sugars. The sugar yield calculated in the study for the white-flowered form (586 kg · ha−1) was two-fold higher than that in the blue-flowered plants.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-89
Author(s):  
Ernest Stawiarz ◽  
Anna Wróblewska ◽  
Marzena Masierowska ◽  
Dagmara Sadowska

AbstractThe three-year study on borage was conducted in Lublin, SE Poland. The aims were to investigate the flowering pattern and abundance, and the attractiveness (in terms of nectar and pollen production) for flower-visiting insects, mainly bees. Insect visitation and the effect of pollinators on fruit set and seed set were assessed as well. Flowering of borage started in the latter half of June and lasted eight weeks. The mean number of flowers · m−2 of the crop was 4570 per season. A borage flower produced on average 4.0 mg of nectar with a mean sugar concentration of 31.5%. The mean total sugar amount secreted in nectar was 1.2 mg. The pollen amount · flower−1 was 1.1 mg. A borage plant can supply insects with 1.1 g of nectar sugars and 1.1 g of pollen. The estimated nectar sugar yield and pollen yield per 1 m2 of the crop were similar, i.e. 5.2 g. Bees accounted for 73.0% of all insect visits to the borage flowers. The presence of insect pollinators increased the fruit set by 43.3% and seed set by 26.8%.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adgaba Nuru ◽  
Ahmad A. Al-Ghamdi ◽  
Yilma T. Tena ◽  
Awraris G. Shenkut ◽  
Mohammad J. Ansari ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of the current study was to determine the floral phenology, nectar secretion dynamics, and honey production potentials of two naturally growing lavender species (L. dentata and L. pubescens), in southwestern Saudi Arabia. In both species, flowering is continuous. This means that, when open flowers on a spike are shaded, new flowers emerge. Such a flowering pattern might be advantageous to the plant to minimise competition for pollinators and promote efficient resource allocation. The flowering periods of the two species overlap. Both species secreted increasing amounts of nectar from early morning to late afternoon. The mean maximum volumes of accumulated nectar from bagged flowers occurred at 15:00 for L. pubescens (0.50 ± 0.24 μL/flower) and at 18:00 for L. dentata (0.68 ± 0.19 μL/flower). The volume of the nectar that became available between two successive measurements (three-h intervals) varied from 0.04 μL/flower to 0.28 μL/flower for L. pubescens and from 0.04 μL/flower to 0.35 μL/ flower for L. dentata, This variation reflects the differences in the dynamics of nectar secretion by these species, and indicates the size of the nectar that may be available for flower visitors at given time intervals. The distribution of nectar secretions appears to be an adaptation of the species to reward pollinators for longer duration. Based on the mean amount of nectar sugar secreted by the plants, the honey production potentials of the species are estimated to be 4973.34 mg and 3463.41 mg honey/plant for L. dentata and L. pubescens, respectively.


1993 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Robert ◽  
M.F. Devaux ◽  
A. Qannari ◽  
M. Safar

Multivariate data treatments were applied to mid and near infrared spectra of glucose, fructose and sucrose solutions in order to specify near infrared frequencies that characterise each carbohydrate. As a first step, the mid and near infrared regions were separately studied by performing Principal Component Analyses. While glucose, fructose and sucrose could be clearly identified on the similarity maps derived from the mid infrared spectra, only the total sugar content of the solutions was observed when using the near infrared region. Characteristic wavelengths of the total sugar content were found at 2118, 2270 and 2324 nm. In a second step, the mid and near infrared regions were jointly studied by a Canonical Correlation Analysis. As the assignments of frequencies are generally well known in the mid infrared region, it should be useful to study the relationships between the two infrared regions. Thus, the canonical patterns obtained from the near infrared spectra revealed wavelengths that characterised each carbohydrate. The OH and CH combination bands were observed at: 2088 and 2332 nm for glucose, 2134 and 2252 nm for fructose, 2058 and 2278 nm for sucrose. Although a precise assignment of the near infrared bands to chemical groups within the molecules was not possible, the present work showed that near infrared spectra of carbohydrates presented specific features.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Fujiwara ◽  
Kentaro Murakami ◽  
Keiko Asakura ◽  
Ken Uechi ◽  
Minami Sugimoto ◽  
...  

Due to a lack of a food composition database on starch and sugars, we developed a comprehensive database on starch and seven types of sugars in commonly consumed foods (n = 2222) in Japan. Dietary record data of 368 toddlers (aged 18–35 months), 376 preschool children (aged 3–6 years), 915 schoolchildren (aged 8–14 years) and 392 adults (aged 20–69 years) were used. The mean starch intake ranged from 55.6 g/day (female toddlers) to 206.0 g/day (male schoolchildren). Irrespective of age and sex, >50% of starch was provided by rice and grains. The mean total sugar intake ranged from 46.1 g/day (female toddlers) to 68.7 g/day (male schoolchildren). In all age and sex groups, the major contributors of total sugar included sucrose (mean: 18.2–34.0 g/day), glucose (7.8–13.1 g/day), lactose (5.3–13.1 g/day) and fructose (7.6–11.1 g/day). The top food sources were dairy products (toddlers) and confectionaries (other age groups) for total sugar, confectionaries for sucrose, fruits (toddlers) and vegetables (other age groups) for glucose, dairy products for lactose and fruits (toddlers and preschool children) and vegetables (schoolchildren and adults) for fructose. In conclusion, this study clarified the starch and sugar intake in Japan and provides a foundation for future research.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (16) ◽  
pp. 9421-9422 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Peng ◽  
E.V. Davis ◽  
L.X. Wang ◽  
C.W. Zhang

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-62
Author(s):  
Pamella Mercy Papilaya

Gandaria plant grows with tree habitus with a height of up to 27 m Spread of gandaria plants in Maluku, generally on Ambon Island and Saparua on Ambon Island, gandaria plants are spread from the coast to the hills. This study aims to determine the quality of sugar content, total acid, pH, water content and production of gandaria fruit (Bouea macrophylla Griff) in different geographical conditions on the island of Ambon using a purposive sampling method and laboratory analysis. The results showed that at an altitude of 0-400 asl with a production of 654 kg, 400-700 asl with a production of 681 kg and an altitude of 700-1100 asl producing 925 kg and the height of the place also affected the quality of gandaria with an average total sugar of 12.69%, content water 80.18%, acidity level 6.81% and pH 3. It was concluded that the higher the altitude of the place will affect the production and quality of gandaria fruit (Bouea macrophylla Griff).


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