Flowering, nectar production and insects visits in two cultivars of Cucurbita maxima Duch. flowers

The study was conducted on experimental plots in the conditions of Lublin. In the years 1998-2000 flowering, nectar secretion and insect visitation of male and female flowers of two winter squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) cultivars: 'Ambar' and 'Amazonka', were studied. The plants...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Marta Dmitruk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Polish Botanical Society 2012-12-01
Series:Acta Agrobotanica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://pbsociety.org.pl/journals/index.php/aa/article/view/1685
Description
Summary:The study was conducted on experimental plots in the conditions of Lublin. In the years 1998-2000 flowering, nectar secretion and insect visitation of male and female flowers of two winter squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) cultivars: 'Ambar' and 'Amazonka', were studied. The plants flowered from July to October. The flower life span was within the range of 7-10 hours. Female flowers of cv. Ambar were marked by the most abundant nectar secretion (129 mg). The nectar sugar content can be estimated as average (25%-35%). Winter squash nectar contained 84% of sucrose as well as 8-9% of fructose and 7%-8% of glucose. Flowers of the studied taxa were frequently foraged by the honey bee (66%-98% of total insects) and bumblebees (1%-30%).
ISSN:2300-357X