ISHS Acta Horticulturae 561: VIII International Symposium on Pollination - Pollination: Integrator of Crops and Native Plant Systems
THE ROLE OF POLLINATORS AND PATTERN OF FRUIT PRODUCTION IN CROTALARIA MICANS (FABACEAE: PAPILIONOIDEAE) |
| Author: | A.V. Etcheverry |
| Keywords: | Crotalaria micans, autogamous self-pollination, control of fruit set, positional effects, maternal reproductive success, male function |
| Abstract:
The role of pollinator activity for determining maternal reproductive success was investigated in Crotalaria micans Link (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae). Additionally, the pattern of fruit production within inflorescences was recorded. I assigned the following treatments: open pollination, supplementary pollination and pollinator exclusion to a series of inflorescences. Flower, fruit and seed production was recorded in all treatments. Pollinator exclusion reduced significantly the fruit and seed production, while pollen augmentation had no effect on reproduction. The interaction between fruit set, position and treatment was significant, indicating the probability of setting fruit at each position differed significantly among treatments. Fruits occurred mostly in lower positions, and the effect of pollen augmentation was strongest at these positions. I conclude that 1) pollinator availability could limit maternal reproductive success; and 2) the pattern of fruit production observed could be due to a poorly developed vascular system in the distal portion of the inflorescence, so resources may not be adequately transported. Other adaptative explanations, however, cannot be ruled out. | |
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