ISHS Acta Horticulturae 384: X International Symposium on Apricot Culture
THE COMPOSITION OF NECTAR IN APRICOT CULTIVARS |
| Authors: | M.M. Bordács, L. Botz, Zs.O. Kovács, M.M. Kerek |
| Keywords: | nectar composition, pollination biology, bees |
| Abstract:
On the basis of investigating the nectar composition of 24 apricot cultivars we have found that the nectar is low in sugar concentration and sugars are composed of few ingredients. In most cultivars the refraction index of nectar does not reach 10 % at the beginning of bloom. Lowest sugar concentration was recorded in the autofertile cultivars, somewhat higher in the autosterile cultivars and the highest concentration was found in the partially autosterile cultivars. Bees did not visit those cultivars where nectar sugar concentration was only 5 %. On the basis of this investigation we concluded that the role of floral nectar is negligible in attracting bees for pollination in apricot. | |
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