The observations were conducted in long-term sequence studies in the years 2006, 2009, 2013, in the Lublin area, Poland (51o 16’ N, 22o 30’ E). The flowering phenology, diurnal pattern of blooming, pollen production and insect visitation to the shrubs of Syringa oblata Lindl. var. dilatata (Nakai) Rehd. and S. meyeri ‘Palibin’ Schn. were examined. Syringa oblata var. dilatata and S. meyeri ‘Palibin’ bloomed from the mid May till mid June. The species are characteristic of early morning diurnal pattern of blooming, with approx. of 60% of daily instalment of flowers opened before 9.00 (GMT + 2h). Both species studied had the corolla tube 2-fold deeper during the pollen shedding phase compared to bud stage (mean = 14.9 mm ± 3.2 SD vs. 7.8 mm ± 2.8). No species effect was found for the size of anthers, for the mass of pollen produced in anthers and for the pollen viability. A constant number of 2 stamens in the flowers of Syringa species entailed the pollen yield was derivative mainly to the number of developed flowers. Therefore significant differences were noted for the pollen yield between individual shrubs (mean 0.9 kg for S. meyeri ‘Palibin’, and 8.1 kg/ha for S. oblata var. dilatata ). The Syringa oblata var. dilatata and S. meyeri ‘Palibin’ due to their attractive flowering period, and the abundance of blooming are suitable for different ornamental designs in urban areas. Unfortunately, despite the entomophilous flower traits, the insect visitors appeared sporadically.
In modern horticulture the use of biostimulators for obtaining the maximum yields and qualities of the crops is favoured. Pentakeep®-V, the fertilizer containing 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is currently recommended. The ALA is recognized as biostimulator of different physiological processes. It increases the photosynthetic efficiency, impact on the nitrogen metabolism – increases activity of nitrate reductase, decreases the content of nitrates. The flowering, nectar production and sugar content by flower position and after foliar application of Pentakeep®-V in Hosta Tratt. ‘Krossa Regal’ were examined in 2012–2013. The plants were sprayed with water solutions of Pentakeep®-V in concentrations: – 0 (control – distilled water), 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06%. Nectar was extracted from 24-hs flowers, using pipette method. Nectar amount and concentration was strongly influenced by floral position in the raceme, and fertilizer application. The total amount of nectar produced per flower declined along the inflorescence, starting from the bottom positioned. Pentakeep®-V fertilizer, depending on concentrations had a variety of effects on flower traits and nectar production. The application of 0.06% of Pentakeep®-V increased the number of flowers per inflorescence, however only in one year of the study. Pentakeep®-V in 0.02 and 0.04% concentrations increased the flower size, with respect to the perianth width as well as improved nectar production. The 0.06% of Pentakeep®-V application suppressed both the flower size and nectar production. These results might be explained by the stimulation of chlorophyll synthesis and CO2 absorption in lower dosages of ALA and reduced photosynthetic efficiency with excess dosages of ALA.
Ecological environment in urban areas is specific in many aspects. There are evidences that ornamental plants cultivated in local urban gardens may help in conservation of pollinators. In this study, the flowering pattern, the abundance of flowering, nectar and pollen production as well as insect visitation in Arabis procurrens Waldst. & Kit. and Iberis sempervirens L. were investigated. The species were grown in the UMCS Botanical Garden in Lublin, southeastern Poland. Arabis procurrens bloomed from the middle of April until middle of May and I. sempervirens from the end of April until middle of June. In both species, most flowers opened in the morning hours (40–45% of total were opened by 8:00 h GMT + 2 h). The average sugar yield of A. procurrens was ca. 53% lower compared to I. sempervirens (mean = 1.08 g/m2 and 2.32 g/m2, respectively). In both species, considerable differences in the amount of produced sugars were noted between years. The mass of pollen produced in the flowers of A. procurrens was approx. 35% lower compared to that of I. sempervirens (mean = 0.06 mg and 0.09 mg per flower, respectively). Pollen produced per unit area was correlated with the number of flowers. On average, the species produced 1.46 g (A. procurrens) and 2.54 g (I. sempervirens) of pollen per 1 m2. The flowers of A. procurrens attracted mainly dipterans (56.3% of total visitors), while I. sempervirens lured chiefly solitary bees (47.4% of total visitors), however in both cases, honeybees, bumblebees and lepidopterans were also recorded. The A. procurrens and I. sempervirens due to flowering in early spring period may be promoted for use in small gardens (rock or pot gardens) for both aesthetic value and as plants that support insect visitors in nectar and pollen rewards.
Blooming biology and pollen production of the following species: Pulsatilla zimmermannii Soó, P. halleri (All.) Willd., and P. vulgaris Mill. grown in UMCS Botanical Garden in Lublin, Poland (51°16'N, 22°30'E) was studied. The species attract insect visitors with large (size 6–8 cm in diameter), colourful, campanulate, actinomorphic flowers. The androecium is multistaminate (min–max: 142–282 anthers per flower), spirally arranged. Minute droplets of nectar were noted at the base of androecium and on staminodes. The anthers dehisced subsequently and pollen of a single flower was available to insects for 5–11 (7) days. On average, P. zimmermannii was found to produce the highest amount of pollen (9.16 g per 1 m2 ), which was 2 times more pollen than P. vulgaris (4.22 g per 1 m2 ), while P. halleri produced 7.63 g per 1 m2 . Pollen grains of the Pulsatilla species are medium in size (P axis ranged 29.8–38.4 μm, and E axis ranged 32.3–39.6 μm) and are oblate-spheroid in shape (P/E index ranged between 0.90 and 0.95). If planted together, the species will provide pollen from first days of April until end of the month, i.e. during the period when seasonal activity of Apoidea insects begins. Pulsatilla species might contribute to lists of garden plants that attract insect visitors with abundant pollen reward and minute nectar.
Nectar secretion was noted both in the male and female floral phases of the protandrous flowers of Campanula patula (Campanulaceae). Female-biased sugar accumulation was evidenced and plasticity in the duration of sexual phases observed. Flowers in the male phase produced twofold less nectar with lower sugar concentrations compared to female-phase flowers. The sugar mass content averaged 0.6 mg ±0.45 SD per flower in the male phase and 1.4 ±0.5 SD per flower in the female phase. The pollen mass averaged 0.16 mg ±0.10 SD per flower. An understanding of the evolution of functional relationships between floral sexes requires consideration of the compensation of the reproductive costs, including the plastic response to interdependent factors, i.e., photosynthesis and growth, the effect of pollinators, pollen robbers, and external environmental forces.
This study investigated the floral biology and pollen quantity and quality of Campanula bononiensis L. (Campanulaceae), a protected species in Poland. Observations and measurements were made during the years 2007–2009 in natural phytocoenoses from the Festuco-Brometea class situated within the Lublin area, SE Poland. A considerable decrease (approx. 87%) in population density was observed. Significant variations both in the amount of pollen (18.5%–34.8 % of pollen in the total anther dry weight, i.e. 0.5–1.5 mg per 10 anthers) and in pollen viability (38.8–97.0%) were noted. Both a low amount of pollen and low pollen viability may reduce the reproductive success of individuals. The most frequent visiting insects were bees (Apoidea), including solitary bees 45.7%, honeybees 20.4%, and bumblebees 11.4%. Dipterans, coleopterans (weevils), lepidopterans and ants were also recorded, implying a strong impact of C. bononiensis on insect biodiversity within grasslands.
The flowering, nectar production and sugar content were examined in 2012–2013 seasons for three Campanula species (C. persicifolia L., C. glomerata L., C. trachelium L.). The flowers of all studied Campanula spp. are distinctly protandrous; most of them opened between 10.00 and 14.00; only the flowers of C. glomerata continued the opening process until 16.00 (GMT + 2 h). The flower life-span differed between species and was the longest for C. persicifolia – ca. 5.5 days and lasted 3.0–3.5 days in C. glomerata and C. trachelium. The duration of the male phase was 2–3 fold shorter (C. persicifolia and C. glomerata) than the female phase or was equal (C. trachelium). Irrespective of the year of study and the species, the female-biased nectar production pattern was evidenced. The amount of nectar accumulated at the female phase reached 70–87% of the maximum nectar produced by a flower. The total sugar yield (0.4– 12.2 g/10 m2) established for the studied species is low compared to other herbaceous meadow species. However, due to diverse insect visitors groups, the Campanula flowers can be recommended to support pollinators in home gardens or on idle lands.