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Pollination ecology of Citrullus lanatus at Yatta, Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2007

G.N. Njoroge ,
B. Gemmill ,
R. Bussmann ,
L.E. Newton  and
V.W. Ngumi
G.N. Njoroge*
Affiliation:
Botany Department, Jomo Kenyatta University, PO Box 62000, Nairobi, Kenya
B. Gemmill
Affiliation:
Botany Department, Nairobi University, PO Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya
R. Bussmann
Affiliation:
Botany Department, Kenyatta University, PO Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya
L.E. Newton
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Physiology, Bayreuth University, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
V.W. Ngumi
Affiliation:
Botany Department, Jomo Kenyatta University, PO Box 62000, Nairobi, Kenya
*
*Email: gnjerinjoroge@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Pollination ecology was investigated in Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai, which is a species vulnerable to pollinator loss. It was found that this species depends heavily on the honeybee, Apis mellifera L., as the main pollinator. Other pollen vectors identified include Xylocopa bees, halictid bees, Hypotrigona bees, flies and beetles. Phenologically, the plant was found to promote male fitness by producing numerous male flowers, which serve as pollinator attracting structures. Blooming sequence and A. mellifera visitation rates to these flowers are presented. This will enable farmers and pollination managers to better understand visitation patterns and to safeguard pollinators during pesticide application schedules.

Keywords

Citrullus lanatusCucurbitaceaewatermelonpollination ecologyphenologyApis mellifera
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , March 2004 , pp. 73 - 77
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2004

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