Biologia floral e eficiência polinizadora das abelhas Apis mellifera L. (campo aberto) e Melipona quadrifasciata Lep. (ambiente protegido) na cultura da pimenta malagueta (Capsicum frutescens L.) em Minas Gerais, Brasil / Floral biology and pollination efficiency of Apis mellifera L. (open area) and Melipona quadrifasciata Lep. (greenhouse) on hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) in Minas Gerais, Brazil

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

The present work aimed to study the floral biology of hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), to identify potential pollinators and to evaluate the efficiency of the honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) and mandaçaia bee (Melipona quadrifasciata Lep.) on the pollination of C. frutescens, in open area and greenhouse, respectively. The first study was carried out in open area, in period from September to December of 2006, in São Miguel do Anta, Minas Gerais. The second study was carried out in period from September of 2007 to January of 2008, in greenhouse situated in the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais. Aspects of floral biology of hot pepper such as, anthesis, anther dehiscence, pistil receptivity and pollen tube growth after pollination were studied. Regarding pollination requirements and pollination efficiency of bees, different pollination treatments were carried out and the fruits of all treatments were evaluated through the variables: fruit set, fruit weight, diameter, length and number of seeds per fruit. Regarding results, C. frutescens flowers are perfect, protogynous and visited by a range of insects, such as ants, flies, beetles, wasps and, mainly bees. These insects, except bees, are not considered pollinators of this crop, because they rarely touch floral reproductive structures. Four species of bees were observed colleting floral resources: A. mellifera, Tetragonisca angustula, Plebeia sp. and Augochlora sp. The first specie is the floral visitant with better potential to pollinate this crop, in open area. Pollen tubes were observed in the ovary within 24 hours after pollination, suggesting the occurrence of fertilization in C. frutescens flower one day after deposition of pollen on stigma. Regarding pollination efficiency, A. mellifera, in open area, and M. quadrifasciata, in greenhouse, contributing to increase the number of fruit. Although is an autogamous crop, C. frutescens benefits from pollination by these insects.

ASSUNTO(S)

campo aberto pollination entomologia agricola greenhouse open area polinizadores hot pepper casa de vegetação pimenta

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