Pollination Studies on Both Floret and Capitulum Levels in an Oil Seed Crop, Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.

Abstract

Niger,Guizotia abyssinica(L.f.), is an important oilseed crop widely grown in Ethiopia and India, but poor pollination is one of the major constraints in achieving the yield potential of the crop. Our aim was to understand better the pollination biology and role of flower insect visitors in reproduction success. Results indicated that full anthesis occured in the morning between 06.00 and 08.00 h and pollen dehiscence eight to eleven hours after anthesis. Stigma receptivity commenced nine hours after anthesis and lasted for the next 24 h. A total of eighteen insect species representing six families visited Niger flowers, and among these,Apis floreaandA. ceranawere dominant. The flowers were self-incompatible as there was no seed set upon the selfing of floret and selfing of capitulum. The maximum seed set (78.33±0.14%) was noticed when flowers were allowed for open pollination and the lowest was recorded when the whole plant was caged to exclude pollinator visits (0.33±0.67). The time spent byA. ceranaandA. floreawas 1.35±0.48 and 1.83±0.12 seconds per floret, respectively and 9.63±0.69 and 14.9±0.94 seconds per capitulum, respectively.A. ceranaandA. floreawere found to be more efficient pollinators ofG. abyssinica.Introducing bee colonies might greatly improve the yield, and it is also important to conserve bees in the vicinity ofG. abissynicafields during the flowering period. Hence, introducing bee colonies might greatly improve the yield of Niger.

Pollen Trapping As Honeybees Pollination Management and Identification of Dominant Pollinators of Guizotia abyssinica (L.f)

“…Sampling was done the whole day continuosly until all pollinators were absent from the flowers of G.abyssinica. Samplings were done through visual counting and trapping of flower visitors for 10 minutes per predetermined transect of 1m 2 area, and this was repeated five times by 10 mintues gap each between two subsequent transects following [2].…”

“…Pollinators are a functional group that ensures cross-pollination in wild plant populations and yields in major crops [1]. Insect-plant interactions fascinate researchers, especially the process of pollination [2].…”

“…However, very little is known about functional groups and indicator species of bee communities from agricultural landscapes in Sub-Saharan Africa [17]. Pollination is one of the most fascinating aspects of insect-plant interactions [2].…”