Abstract
ABSTRACT Floral morphology and biology are important characteristics for plant-pollinator interactions and may influence the behavior of these agents. This study aimed to determine which floral attributes of different melon hybrids influence this interaction and, consequently, their attractiveness in simultaneous crops. The study was conducted in the region of Petrolina, State of Pernambuco (PE)/Juazeiro, State of Bahia (BA) and Mossoró, State of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), in areas with the following melon hybrids: Yellow type, Piel de Sapo, Cantaloupe and Galia. For studies on floral morphology and biology, hermaphrodites and male flowers of each hybrid were analyzed for their size and nectar chamber size, pollen and nectar production, anthesis time and flower lifespan. Floral visitors were observed simultaneously in hybrids of three types of melon, from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in the two study sites. Evaluations of the corolla diameter and flower height indicated that the hermaphrodite flowers were larger in size than male flowers in all types of melon investigated, in both study sites. As for nectar chamber, male flowers are larger in width, but smaller in height, compared to hermaphrodite flowers. Regarding the volume of nectar, differences were found between floral types for the hybrids evaluated, in the two study sites; the hermaphrodite flowers produced 2-7 times more nectar than male flowers in all studied hybrids. Observations of visits of Apis mellifera to areas with simultaneous flowering of the three types of melon demonstrated differences in the frequency of visits between hybrids, floral type and foraged resource. Flowers of the hybrids Piel de Sapo and Cantaloupe exhibited larger corolla diameter, larger dimensions of the nectar chamber and greater supply of resources for foraging, which could explain the higher number of visits of bees to their flowers in the sites studied.
Highlights
Melon is a fruit consumed on a large scale in Europe, the United State and Japan
Study areas: This work was conducted in melon production centers of Petrolina, State of Pernambuco/Juazeiro, State of Bahia and Mossoró, State of Rio Grande do Norte, in experimental and commercial areas cultivated with melon hybrids: Yellow type, Piel de Sapo, Cantaloupe and Galia
Floral morphology: Evaluations of the corolla diameter (F = 48.45, df = 13, P
Summary
Melon is a fruit consumed on a large scale in Europe, the United State and Japan. Brazil ranks 11st in the world production of that crop, considered of great importance for the country, especially for the Northeast region, generating jobs and income for the producing states (FAO, 2013).Melon plant (Cucumis melo L.) belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae and the genus Cucumis, which is composed of 38 species (GARG et al 2007). Melon is a fruit consumed on a large scale in Europe, the United State and Japan. Brazil ranks 11st in the world production of that crop, considered of great importance for the country, especially for the Northeast region, generating jobs and income for the producing states (FAO, 2013). Most cultivars have male and hermaphrodite flowers, yellow in color, with five petals. The first present five stamens and a nonfunctional style surrounded by nectaries. Hermaphrodite flowers have a three lobed stigma surrounded by the nectary and inferior ovary and three anthers toward the outside of the flower, preventing selfpollination (DELAPLANE; MAYER, 2005). Melon depends on biotic pollinators for a successful reproduction, and the pollination services are considered essential (dependence > 90%) for its production (KLEIN et al, 2007)
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