Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in Sunflower
Nectar is a complex biochemical substance secreted with particular rhythm by flower nectaries. Nectar is the base of a mutualism in which pollinators consume nectar, as food source, and are involuntarily responsible for the transport of pollen and pollination. The dynamics and temporal patterns of n...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/8/717 |
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| author | Simone Bergonzoli Elio Romano Claudio Beni Francesco Latterini Roberto Lo Scalzo Antonio Scarfone |
| author_facet | Simone Bergonzoli Elio Romano Claudio Beni Francesco Latterini Roberto Lo Scalzo Antonio Scarfone |
| author_sort | Simone Bergonzoli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nectar is a complex biochemical substance secreted with particular rhythm by flower nectaries. Nectar is the base of a mutualism in which pollinators consume nectar, as food source, and are involuntarily responsible for the transport of pollen and pollination. The dynamics and temporal patterns of nectar secretion are still not fully understood as well as the environmental and climatic factors influencing its production. The quantity and quality of nectar found in standing crops at flowering influence the mutualistic relationship with pollinators and their foraging behavior. This situation is even more significant considering the reduction in undisturbed environments, the loss of soil quality, the spread of monoculture agricultural management and the use of self-fertile hybrids. The objects of the study are understanding the relationship among soil properties and nectar quality, comparing the nectar composition in a sunflower hybrid variety and evaluate pollinator preferences in selecting nectar sources among hybrid and non-hybrid varieties. For these purposes, two different experimental tests were established. Results highlighted that fertilization strategy influenced crop biomass development, determined soil characteristics and nectar composition in Sunflower. However, when comparing nectar composition of hybrid and non-hybrid varieties of sunflower, no significant differences were found. Despite this, the analysis of number of visits on the two treatments showed statistically significant differences. This research provides further understanding of the very complex relationship among soil, crop and nectar to support the definition of agricultural management strategies and reach the optimal nectar composition level for pollinators in agricultural crops. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:13:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c654aaca1f8149dcafc2865c9834de7e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:13:34Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-c654aaca1f8149dcafc2865c9834de7e2023-11-30T21:39:09ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502022-08-0113871710.3390/insects13080717Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in SunflowerSimone Bergonzoli0Elio Romano1Claudio Beni2Francesco Latterini3Roberto Lo Scalzo4Antonio Scarfone5Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA), Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari, Via della Pascolare 15, 00015 Monterotondo, ItalyConsiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA), Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari, Via Milano 43, 24047 Treviglio, ItalyConsiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA), Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari, Via della Pascolare 15, 00015 Monterotondo, ItalyInstitute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Parkowa 5, 62-035 Kórnik, PolandConsiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA), Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari, Via Giacomo Venezian 26, 20133 Milano, ItalyConsiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA), Centro di Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari, Via della Pascolare 15, 00015 Monterotondo, ItalyNectar is a complex biochemical substance secreted with particular rhythm by flower nectaries. Nectar is the base of a mutualism in which pollinators consume nectar, as food source, and are involuntarily responsible for the transport of pollen and pollination. The dynamics and temporal patterns of nectar secretion are still not fully understood as well as the environmental and climatic factors influencing its production. The quantity and quality of nectar found in standing crops at flowering influence the mutualistic relationship with pollinators and their foraging behavior. This situation is even more significant considering the reduction in undisturbed environments, the loss of soil quality, the spread of monoculture agricultural management and the use of self-fertile hybrids. The objects of the study are understanding the relationship among soil properties and nectar quality, comparing the nectar composition in a sunflower hybrid variety and evaluate pollinator preferences in selecting nectar sources among hybrid and non-hybrid varieties. For these purposes, two different experimental tests were established. Results highlighted that fertilization strategy influenced crop biomass development, determined soil characteristics and nectar composition in Sunflower. However, when comparing nectar composition of hybrid and non-hybrid varieties of sunflower, no significant differences were found. Despite this, the analysis of number of visits on the two treatments showed statistically significant differences. This research provides further understanding of the very complex relationship among soil, crop and nectar to support the definition of agricultural management strategies and reach the optimal nectar composition level for pollinators in agricultural crops.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/8/717compostsoil fertilizationinsect habitshybridnon-hybrid varieties |
| spellingShingle | Simone Bergonzoli Elio Romano Claudio Beni Francesco Latterini Roberto Lo Scalzo Antonio Scarfone Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in Sunflower Insects compost soil fertilization insect habits hybrid non-hybrid varieties |
| title | Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in Sunflower |
| title_full | Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in Sunflower |
| title_fullStr | Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in Sunflower |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in Sunflower |
| title_short | Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in Sunflower |
| title_sort | nectar dynamics and pollinators preference in sunflower |
| topic | compost soil fertilization insect habits hybrid non-hybrid varieties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/8/717 |
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