Pollen Transfer Research Articles

Pollinator functional group abundance and floral heterogeneity in an agroecological context affect mating patterns in a self-incompatible wild plant.

Restoration of seminatural field margins can elevate pollinator activity. However, how they support wild plant gene flow through interactions between pollinators and spatiotemporal gradients in floral resources remains largely unknown. Using a farm-scale experiment, we tested how mating outcomes (expected heterozygosity and paternity correlation) of the wild, self-incompatible plant Cyanus segetum transplanted into field margins (sown wildflower or grass-legume strips) were affected by the abundance of different pollinator functional groups (defined by species traits). We also investigated how the maternal plant attractiveness, conspecific pollen donor density, and heterospecific floral richness and density interacted with pollinator functional group abundance to modulate C. segetum mating outcomes. Multiple paternity increased (=lower paternity correlation) with greater local abundance of hoverflies (syrphids) and female medium-sized wild bees (albeit the latter's effect diminished with decreasing maternal plant attractiveness), and the presence of male bumblebees (Bombus) under low local floral richness. Cyanus segetum progeny genetic diversity increased with male Bombus presence but decreased with greater abundance of syrphids and honey bees (Apis mellifera). Overall, field margins supported plant-pollinator interactions ensuring multiple paternity and conservation of allelic diversity in C. segetum progeny. The contribution to plant mating outcomes of different pollinator functional groups was dictated by their local abundance or traits affecting pollen transfer efficiency. The local floral richness or maternal plant attractiveness sometimes modulated these relationships. This complex response of wild plant mating patterns to community interactions has implications for the use of field margins to restore functional pollination systems in farmed landscapes.

Unveiling Thrips (Thysanoptera) as Nature's Unsung Pollinators: A Survey From Obligatory Thripophily to Thrips as Supplementary Pollinators

ABSTRACTThrips are minute, paraneopteran insects with diverse ecological histories and plant associations, encompassing herbivory, fungivory, pollination and predation. They are typically not widely adored insects as many species are regarded to be destructive crop pests and vectors of crop diseases. Nevertheless, certain thrips play a significant role in pollination as they traverse from flower to flower with pollen attached to their bodies. However, most studies on relationships between flowering plants and pollinators have overlooked the prevalence and association of thrips with flowers, and the pollination services were often incorrectly attributed to wind, bees or other agents. This is primarily due to the minute size and cryptic behaviour of thrips, their limited range of movement and minimal structural modifications to carry and disperse pollen. In recent times, the involvement of thrips in pollination was investigated by many researchers and their role was established partly or fully in several angiosperm families. Their role in pollination through specialised thripophily, as minor or secondary pollinators, or via ambophily is well‐established now. The present paper reviews the evidence of pollen transfer by thrips, obligate and nonobligate pollination relationships between plants and pollinator thrips, evolutionary aspects of thripophily, morphological and physiological adaptations in thrips and floral syndromes associated with thripophily.

Floral morphology is associated with pollen deposition patterns on moth bodies

AbstractFloral syndromes can be a useful tool for predicting the identity of pollinators from floral morphology. However, the reliability of floral syndromes are still debated in the literature, and can often result in effective pollinators being overlooked. Pollination by moths has historically been associated with a floral syndrome comprising white tubular flowers that are heavily scented at night, but there have been few experimental tests of this association. To test whether moths preferentially land on flowers that are white and tubular, we allowed two moth species (Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnaggel, 1766) and Ichneutica mutans (Walker, 1857)) to choose freely between three plant species (Vaccinium corymbosum, Ericaceae, Pittosporum tenuifolium, Pittosporaceae, and two forms of Leptospermum scoparium, Myrtaceae) which represent four different floral morphologies. Anthers on the flowers were marked with fluorescent powder dye (pollen‐tracker), with the presence of pollen‐tracker on moth bodies after the experiment indicating floral visitation. We detected no floral preferences for any of the plant species by either moth species, suggesting moths will visit flowers that lack features associated with the syndrome even when in the presence of white, tubular flowers which might be predicted to be more attractive to moths. We also examined moth bodies to determine where pollen‐tracker was carried most often and if this varied among the floral types. Our results indicate that some moth body parts may be more important than others for pollen transfer, depending on the morphology of the flowers visited. After visiting tubular flowers (Vaccinium and Pittosporum), pollen‐tracker was most often located on the proboscis, but after visiting open‐access flowers (Leptospermum) pollen‐tracker was most often located on the legs. Future studies looking at the presence of pollen on moth bodies should consider this and ensure the entire moth body is examined for the presence of pollen.

Puzzling androecium development in Bauhinia galpinii (Fabaceae) facilitates wing pollination by butterflies

Floral adaptation to pollinators often involves key modifications of floral development. We investigated floral development and its function for pollination in Bauhinia galpinii, a legume species native to eastern and southern Africa with a unique arrangement of stamens and staminodes. Flowers and floral buds at different stages were prepared for observation under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Light Microscopy (ML), and X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT). Pollinator observations were conducted in populations in southern Africa and floral advertising and reward traits were quantified. Five (rarely six) sepals emerge helically, followed by the petal primordia in unidirectional order. The carpel arises synchronously with the stamens and expands rapidly. Stamen initiation occurs unidirectionally, with three abaxial antesepalous stamens fully developing while other stamen primordia remain sterile and underdeveloped (staminodial). The number of adaxial staminode tips can fluctuate by branching, regardless of their original whorl. Concentric collateral bundles supply all the staminodes. Swallowtail butterflies transfer pollen through their fluttering wings that touch the abaxial anthers and stigma while feeding on nectar in the hypanthium located on the adaxial side. Bauhinia galpinii exhibits an androecium characterised by secondary, unstable branching of staminodes, which form adaptive structures suited to its pollinators. The variation in androecium structure may be attributed to heterochronic changes during development, marked by an early carpel initiation and its basal expansion leading to spatial restriction. This ontogenetic contingency, associated with selective pressures from pollinators, notably swallowtail butterflies, seems to play a role in selecting this complex and distinct floral architecture.

Floral morphology and pollen placement strategies of bat-pollinated flowers: a comparative analysis within a guild of chiropterophilous plants in a neotropical dry forest

BackgroundSynchronopatric plant species, coexisting and flowering simultaneously, often engage in intense competition for pollen deposition on shared pollinators. This study focuses on the intricate dynamics of chiropterophilous flowers within the neotropical bat-pollination plant guild, specifically investigating the mechanical fit of reproductive structures to pollinating bats at the community level.MethodsUtilizing a diverse guild of bat-pollinated plant species from the Caatinga, the largest dry forest in the Neotropics, our research integrates various key components. Initially, we identified specific contact sites for floral reproductive structures on the bat's body, exploring diverse pollen placement strategies. Subsequent efforts involved characterizing floral traits within the guild and examining their associations with different pollen placement strategies. Precision in the contact of floral reproductive structures was estimated, and findings were integrated by associating pollen placement strategies and precision with the investment in pollen production.ResultsWe found that certain bat body parts, particularly the face and neck, were more frequently contacted by reproductive structures. The three identified categories of pollen placement strategies were evenly distributed among plant species, each linked to specific floral traits. Notably, the absence of oriented herkogamy prevailed in 70% of the species. Morphometric analyses unveiled significant variations in operative distances among species, emphasizing exceptional variability in certain outliers. While precision in pollen transfer was influenced by key factors, surprisingly, investment in pollen production did not differ among plants with distinct pollen placement strategies. Furthermore, it showed no correlation with fundamental accuracy.ConclusionsThe subsequent exploration delves into the intricate associations between distinct floral characteristics and various pollen placement strategies, shaping the complex pollen landscape on bat bodies. This research provides valuable insights into the community-level dynamics of chiropterophilous flowers in the Caatinga Dry Forest, emphasizing the role of different pollen deposition strategies in facilitating the coexistence of multiple plant species within the chiropterophilous guild.

Neither nectar nor deception: the role of floral rewards in the pollination system of Laelia (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae).

Orchids offer a variety of floral rewards to pollinators. In many orchid groups, however, the transfer of pollen is based on food-deception, as in the case of Laelia (including Schomburgkia s.s.), a genus assigned to the Neotropical subtribe Laeliinae. Here, we report on the reproductive biology of a Brazilian member of this subtribe, namely, Laelia gloriosa, occurring in the forested areas of southeastern Brazil. The study includes analyses of floral morphology, histochemistry, and the chemical analysis of floral rewards and scents. Pollinators and pollination mechanism data were collected in the field by means of focal observations. Analyses of breeding systems and the percentage of potentially viable seed were also recorded. The floral morphology of Laelia gloriosa indicates that this species is melittophilous. The flowers release a citrus-like fragrance that attracts many species of bee. The flowers offer waxy material as a reward, and this is collected exclusively by Meliponini bees. Several bee species visit the flowers. However, those of L. gloriosa are pollinated exclusively by Trigona spinipes. Pollinaria are deposited on the bee's scutellum. Plants of the studied population were entirely self-compatible, but pollinator-dependent. The frequency of visits to these flowers was greater than in rewardless Laeliinae. Our study provides the first evidence of lipoidal substances as a resource in Laeliinae. The discovery that an orchid species (Laelia gloriosa) of this subtribe, hitherto considered to be entirely pollinated by nectar-seeking pollinators, offers a floral waxy material and provides new insights into the evolution of this important subtribe.

FlowerMate: Multidimensional reciprocity and inaccuracy indices for style-polymorphic plant populations.

Heterostyly in plants promotes pollen transfer between floral morphs, because female and male sex organs are located at roughly reciprocal heights within the flowers of each morph. Reciprocity indices, which assess the one-dimensional variation in the height of sex organs, are used to define the phenotypic structure of heterostyly in plant populations and to make inferences about selection. Other reciprocal stylar polymorphisms (e.g., enantiostyly) may function in a similar manner to heterostyly. In-depth assessment of their potential fit with pollinators requires accounting for the multidimensional variation in the location of sex organs. We have adapted the existing reciprocity indices used for heterostylous plant populations to incorporate multidimensional data. We illustrate the computation of the adapted and original indices in the freely available R package FlowerMate. FlowerMate provides fast computation of reliable indices to facilitate understanding of the evolution and function of the full diversity of reciprocal polymorphisms.

Evaluating the role of insect pollinators in the viability of true seeds of shallot in tropical agroecosystems

Pollen transfer in tropical agroecosystems to increase seed production has received limited research, notably on shallot pollination and insect pollinators. This study evaluated how insect pollinators optimize shallot seed production in tropical agroecosystems, i.e. Batu and Malang Districts in Indonesia. This study was conducted from June to October in 2023. We examined pollinator diversity, foraging behavior, and the effectiveness of dominating insect pollinators during umbel flower anthesis, as well as visiting insect foraging and visiting patterns. We assessed pollinator effectiveness by comparing visitation rates under four treatments. A total of 21 insect species belonging to three orders visited the shallot flowers, of which 14 species have the potential to act as pollinators. Apis cerana Fabricius, 1793 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) emerged as potentially effective pollinators. Air temperature significantly influenced pollinator activity in visiting anthesis umbels. Evaluations of pollinator efficiency showed that A. cerana was more efficient than L. sericata in promoting the production of true shallot seed and has a significant role in ensuring high-quality pollination. This highlights the necessity of comprehending the specialized contributions of pollinators for shallot seed production.

Maximizing Date Palm Yield: Automatic Extension Sprinklers for Enhanced Aerial Pollination

Abstract Date palms require pollen transfer from male to female palms in order to yield a fruitful harvest. The traditional method of accomplishing this artificial cross-pollination involved climbing each palm tree and physically putting male flower spikelets on female inflorescences. This process required a great deal of labor and was time-consuming. Due to developments in farming practices during the modern age, farmers have experimented with mechanical pollination systems. Recently, to pollinate date palms very quickly, safely, affordably, and with a minimum of risk of injury, agricultural drones have been used. In this research, experiments on drone dispersal pollination are conducted on three Omani date palm cultivars—Al Naghal, Al Khanezi, and Al Kasab. The applicability of this method is evaluated by comparing its fruit yield properties to those of the conventional method, which is commonly employed, and the less popular machine/hand pollination methods. The main limitations of drone dispersal pollination are, its inability to disperse exact amount of pollen to the target location of female inflorescences, especially in shorter palms; wastage of pollens and environmental pollution. The study recommends the use of a novel design of extendable pollen sprinkler for target-specific pollination in order to increase pollination efficiency and decrease DPP waste. The designed system comprises of a robotic arm extension with a remotely controlled sprayer mounted on a computer vision android device; that can shoot themselves out to the female flowers and disperse the required amount of pollens in the specific location. This unique spraying mechanism can overcome the drawbacks of aerial pollination and increase its effectiveness.

Insecticide and low food quality treatments reduce health and pollination services of two key pollinator taxa

Abstract Pesticides and the lack of floral resources are key drivers of insect decline in agricultural areas. Both land‐use stressors can have a variety of synergistic and sublethal effects on pollinators, affecting their health and foraging behaviour. Pollinating insects include species with vastly different life histories, giving them potentially different vulnerability and resilience to stressors. However, most research has generally focused on bees. Here, we contrast synergistic effects of nutritional stress and pesticide use on social bumblebees and solitary hoverflies. We experimentally tested the effects of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid and low‐quality food on health traits of Bombus terrestris workers and Episyrphus balteatus adults (ovarian development, body size and colony development or survival). The foraging behaviour of treated pollinators was recorded in a semi‐field setup and, for B. terrestris, we measured the pollen amount on the body surface and the pollen deposited on stigmata after a single floral visit. Both stressors affected bumblebee health. Additionally, insecticide‐treated workers showed increased flower handling times and flight durations, while low‐quality food reduced the amount of pollen on the surface of bumblebees and the pollen deposited on stigmata. Syrphids were mostly affected by low‐quality food, which decreased their survival probability and changed their foraging behaviour. Furthermore, we found an interactive effect between the two stressors, reducing E. balteatus ovary development. Synthesis and applications. Insecticide and food stress affected fitness traits of both bumblebees and syrphid flies, possibly reducing pollinator populations under natural conditions. Especially for bumblebees, long‐term exposure led to a reduction in the provision of pollination services, both by changing their behaviour and reducing pollen transfer. We found differences between the two pollinator groups, showing that results gained from single groups like bees should not be extrapolated to all pollinators. Interactive effects indicate potential buffering effects of high‐quality food against other stressors and highlight the importance of considering synergies between multiple stressors in risk assessments. This further emphasizes the relevance of floral resources such as wild flower strips in agricultural areas to conserve pollinators and pollination services.

The role of conservation agriculture in enhancing biodiversity and common beans productivity

Conservation of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is vital for maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience. Conservation agriculture, a sustainable farming approach that involves minimum tillage and reduced use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and growth promoters, has gained attention as a potential strategy to enhance biodiversity and reduce production costs. This study investigated the role of conservation agriculture in enhancing biodiversity and common bean productivity in Tanzania. The study compared plots practicing conservation agriculture (minimum tillage and reduced agrochemical use) with those using conventional farming methods. Biodiversity metrics, that is, earthworm populations, bird species richness, bird nest abundance, bird species diversity, bee visitation rates, and bean yield were assessed. The results showed significant positive effects of conservation agriculture on biodiversity, emphasizing its potential role in promoting sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and household improvement due to reduced production costs and increased yield per unit area. Earthworms per meter square observed to increase from 12 in the non-conservation plots to 34 in the conservation plots, which is likely to improve nutrient cycling and productivity. Furthermore, conservation plots had a higher number of bird species flying around (36−76) compared with 14–32 in non-conservation plots (4000 m2) at 50 % bean flowering. The number of bird nests observed in the two plots during bean harvesting varied significantly (P<0.05), where the number of bird nests observed in 4000 m2 of non-conservation plots ranged from 14 to 36, compared to 12–62 in conservation plots. High bird nest numbers in conservation plots indicated higher bird habitat quality in conservation plots than in non-conservation plots. Bees as chief pollinators, bees visiting conservation plots during 50 % flowering per square meter ranged from 5 to 11, compared to 2–6 in non-conservation plots. Bee visitation to bean flowers has a significant influence on productivity, as it influences pollen transfer and fertilization. Common beans yield among plots ranged 0.9 tons/ha to 1.4 tons/ha in conservation plots compared to 0.35–1.01 tons/ha, in non-conservation plots. Land use conservation contributes considerably to economic growth through increased productivity and reduced production costs, where the production cost is reduced by 50 % in conservation plots compared with non-conservation plots. However, the present study was conducted in a single location with smallholder farmers; hence, further experiments over larger areas and longer time periods are needed for a more robust conclusion.

Analysis of Genetic Diversity of Some Vitis labrusca and Vitis spp. with Molecular Markers

Türkiye has a very suitable climate for viticulture, and different grape varieties have been grown in almost every region since ancient times. Although these grape varieties have different names, there are also grape varieties with the same genetic structure. In particular, in the Black Sea Region, Vitis labrusca, which is resistant to heavy rainfall and humidity, and hybrids of this species grow. However, it is known that different genotypes of this species are grown in the region. Genetic confusion exists in Vitis labrusca L. and its hybrids due to natural pollen transfer and crossing. This study evaluated the genetic similarities and differences among Vitis varieties and genotypes, mainly Vitis labrusca genotypes, with 18 different SSR primers. In the genetic relationship dendrogram, the varieties/genotypes showed similarity at rates ranging from 0.65% to 0.98%. The highest similarity rate between the varieties and genotypes used in the study was determined between the genotypes 5 '57 Gerze 04' and 6 '61 Of 04' with 92%. The results obtained have revealed different grape gene pools, especially in the Black Sea Region, and are expected to contribute to disease resistance breeding studies in the future significantly. Increasing consumer awareness of climate change will increase the interest in disease-resistant or tolerant grapes, such as Vitis labrusca species, in the coming years.

Buzz-pollinating bees deliver thoracic vibrations to flowers through periodic biting

Pollinator behavior is vital to plant-pollinator interactions, affecting the acquisition of floral rewards, patterns of pollen transfer, and plant reproductive success. During buzz pollination, bees produce vibrations with their indirect flight muscles to extract pollen from tube-like flowers. Vibrations can be transmitted to the flower via the mandibles, abdomen, legs, or thorax directly. Vibration amplitude at the flower determines the rate of pollen release and should vary with the coupling of bee and flower. This coupling often occurs through anther biting, but no studies have quantified how biting affects flower vibration. Here, we used high-speed filmography to investigate how flower vibration amplitude changes during biting in Bombus terrestris visiting two species of buzz-pollinated flowering plants: Solanum dulcamara and Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae). We found that floral buzzing drives head vibrations up to 3 times greater than those of the thorax, which doubles the vibration amplitude of the anther during biting compared with indirect vibration transmission when not biting. However, the efficiency of this vibration transmission depends on the angle at which the bee bites the anther. Variation in transmission mechanisms, combined with the diversity of vibrations across bee species, yields a rich assortment of potential strategies that bees could employ to access rewards from buzz-pollinated flowers.

Negative and sex-specific effects of drought on flower production, resources and pollinator visitation, but not on floral scent in monoecious Cucurbita pepo.

The globally changing climatic condition is increasing the incidences of drought in several parts of the world. This is predicted and already shown to not only impact plant growth and flower development, but also plant-pollinator interactions and the pollination success of entomophilous plants. However, there is a large gap in our understanding of how drought affects the different flowers and pollen transfer among flowers in sexually polymorphic species. Here, we evaluated in monoecious Styrian oil pumpkin, and separately for female and male flowers, the responses of drought stress on flower production, petal size, nectar, floral scent and visitation by bumblebee pollinators. Drought stress adversely affected all floral traits studied, except floral scent. Although both flower sexes were adversely affected by drought stress, the effects were more severe on female flowers, with most of the female flowers even aborted before opening. The drought had negative effects on floral visitation by the pollinators, which generally preferred female flowers. Overall, our study highlights that the two flower sexes of a monoecious plant species are differently affected by drought stress and calls for further investigations to better understand the cues used by the pollinators to discriminate against male flowers and against flowers of drought-stressed plants.

Nature’s Precision: The Intricate Pollen Dispersal Mechanisms of Papilionaceous Crops

Pollination, a fascinating natural process, is crucial for the reproduction of flowering plants. It involves the transfer of pollen from the male reproductive part to the female reproductive part, enabling successful fertilization. Papilionaceous crops, belonging to the Fabaceae family, exhibit highly specialized pollen dispersal mechanisms that ensure effective pollination and genetic diversity. These mechanisms involve intricate interactions between floral structures and pollinators, primarily bees. By integrating findings from various studies, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate pollen dispersal mechanisms in papilionaceous crops such as piston/pump mechanism, explosive type mechanism, brush type mechanism and valvular mechanism. It also provides information about the role of different floral parts in pollen dispersal among the flowers. This review will be helpful in gaining insights about pollen dispersal mechanism and it contribution in improving crop yields and breeding programs.

Pollen transfer efficiency in Erica depends on type of pollinator.

Pollen transfer efficiency (PTE; the proportion of pollen removed from flowers that reaches conspecific stigmas) is expected to vary with the type of pollinator and flower morphology, and to influence male siring success. Many species in the genus Erica are pollinated by bees (which consume pollen and should thus lower PTE) but during its radiation in the Cape, several independent shifts to both sunbird and long-proboscid fly (LP fly) pollinators, which do not consume pollen have taken place. Improvements in PTE could be one of the factors driving these pollinator shifts. PTE data for 15 Erica species (five for each of the three pollinator types) were collected and compared in relation to type of pollinator and anther exsertion. LP fly- and bird-pollinated species had higher PTE in comparison with bee-pollinated species. Species with inserted anthers had higher PTE than those with exserted anthers. This suggests that sunbirds and LP flies are more efficient pollinators than bees. Additionally, the study suggests that insertion of anthers within the corolla tube can reduce pollen losses.

An evolutionary disruption of the buzz pollination syndrome in neotropical montane plants.

Under pollinator limitations, specialized pollination syndromes may evolve toward contrasting responses: a generalized syndrome with increased pollinator attraction, pollinator reward, and pollen transfer capacity; or the selfing syndrome with increased self-pollen deposition, but reduced pollinator attraction and pollen transfer capacity. The buzz-pollination syndrome is specialized to explore female vibrating bees as pollinators. However, vibrating bees become less-active pollinators at montane areas of the Atlantic Forest (AF) domain. This study investigated whether the specialized buzz-pollination syndrome would evolve toward an alternative floral syndrome in montane areas of the AF domain, considering a generalized and the selfing syndromes as alternative responses. We utilized a lineage within the buzz-pollinated Miconia as study system, contrasting floral traits between montane AF-endemic and non-endemic species. We measured and validated floral traits that were proxies for pollinator attraction, reward access, pollen transfer capacity, and self-pollen deposition. We inferred the evolution of floral trait via phylogenetic comparative methods. AF-endemic species have selectively evolved greater reward access and more frequently had generalist pollination. Nonetheless, AF-endemic species also have selectively evolved toward lower pollen transfer capacity and greater self pollination. These patterns indicated a complex evolutionary process that has jointly favored a generalized and the selfing syndromes. The buzz pollination syndrome can undergo an evolutionary disruption in montane areas of the AF domain. This floral syndrome is likely more labile than often assumed, allowing buzz-pollinated plants to reproduce in environments where vibrating bees are less-reliable pollinators.

Electrostatic pollination by butterflies and moths.

Animals, most notably insects, generally seem to accumulate electrostatic charge in nature. These electrostatic charges will exert forces on other charges in these animals' environments and therefore have the potential to attract or repel other objects, for example, pollen from flowers. Here, we show that butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) accumulate electrostatic charge while in flight. Then, using finite element analysis, we demonstrate that when within millimetres of a flower, the electrostatic charge of a lepidopteran generates an electric field in excess of 5 kV m-1, and that an electric field of this magnitude is sufficient to elicit contactless pollen transfer from flowers across air gaps onto the body of a butterfly or moth. Furthermore, we see that phylogenetic variations exist in the magnitude and polarity of net charge between different species and families and Lepidoptera. These phylogenetic variations in electrostatic charging correlate with morphological, biogeographical and ecological differences between different clades. Such correlations with biogeographical and ecological differences may reflect evolutionary adaptations towards maximizing or minimizing charge accumulation, in relation to pollination, predation and parasitism, and thus we introduce the idea that electrostatic charging may be a trait upon which evolution can act.

Влияние погодных условий на завязываемость семян рапса озимого в условиях центральной зоны Краснодарского края

The purpose of the research was to study the influence of temperature and air moisture, wind velocity, cloud coverage, and precipitation amount on seed set of winter rapeseed in the central zone of the Krasnodar region. The objects of the research were winter rapeseed cultivars Elvis, Loris, Sarmat, Selegor, and Olivin. The conditions of 2022 during flowering period were favourable. The air temperature varied from 14.3 to 18.3 °C, precipitation amounted 12.4 mm, and they did not prevent pollination. The wind velocity in average by ten-day periods was 5.1 m/sec, cloud coverage (32.2%) and air moisture (61.1%) were op-timal both for self-pollination and for pollen transfer by wind and insects. The seed set in average was 81.3%. The weather conditions of 2023 were less fa-vorable. Lowered air temperatures – from 12.2 to 16.1 °C, frequent precipitations – 40 mm, air velocity from 2.8 to 4.7 m/sec, increased cloud coverage – to 85%, and air moisture to 77.3% negatively influenced self-pollination and prevented pollen transfer by wind and insects, and thereby decreased the realization of a potential productivity by 23.9%. The cultivars Sarmat and Selegor demonstrated the highest seed set both in favorable and unfavorable conditions. The cultivar Elvis was less sensitive to weather changes during flowering. The variation of a trait of seed set in favorable conditions was insignificant (CV = 2.4–7.1%). Changing of a trait of seed set in a pod to highly variable (CV = 11.7–28.3%) in 2023 certifies the genotype selection with high seed set ability is able only in unfavorable for pollination weather con-ditions.

Aerobiology of the Family Lamiaceae: Novel Perspectives with Special Reference to Volatiles Emission.

Lamiaceae is a botanical family rich in aromatic species that are in high demand such as basil, lavender, mint, oregano, sage, and thyme. It has great economical, ecological, ethnobotanical, and floristic importance. The aim of this work is to provide an updated view on the aerobiology of species from the family Lamiaceae, with an emphasis on novelties and emerging applications. From the aerobiology point of view, the greatest interest in this botanical family is related to the volatile organic compounds emitted by the plants and, to a much lesser extent, their pollen. Research has shown that the major volatile organic compounds emitted by the plants from this botanical family are monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The most important monoterpenes reported across studies include α-pinene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, menthol, limonene, and γ-terpinene. Most reports tend to cover species from the subfamily Nepetoideae. Volatile oils are produced by glandular trichomes found on aerial organs. Based on general morphology, two main types are found in the family Lamiaceae, namely peltate and capitate trichomes. As a result of pollinator-mediated transfer of pollen, Lamiaceae species present a reduced number of stamens and quantity of pollen. This might explain the low probability of pollen presence in the air from these species. A preliminary synopsis of the experimental evidence presented in this work suggests that the interplay of the organic particles and molecules released by these plants and their environment could be leveraged for beneficial outcomes in agriculture and landscaping. Emerging reports propose their use for intercropping to ensure the success of fructification, increased yield of entomophilous crops, as well as in sensory gardens due to the therapeutic effect of volatiles.