Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T06:43:44.314Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Get access

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Buchmann, S. and Nabhan, G. P. (1996) The Forgotten Pollinators. Island Press, Washington D.C.Google Scholar
Cobley, L. S. (1965) An Introduction to the Botany of Tropical Crops. Longman, London.Google Scholar
Corbet, S.A., Williams, I.H. and Osborne, J.L. (1997) Bees and the pollination of crops and wild flowers in European community. IBRA reprint M122-Ed, pp. 47–59.Google Scholar
Fehe'r, T. (1993) Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). In Genetic improvement of vegetable crops. (Edited by Karoo, G. and Bergh, B. O.) Pergamon, England.Google Scholar
Fritz, A., Nilsson, L. A. (1996) Reproductive success and gender variation in deceit-pollinated orchids. In Floral Biology (Edited by Lloyd, D. C., Barret, S. C.) Chapman, New York.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harder L., D., Barret, S.C.H. (1996) Pollen dispersal and mating patterns in animal-pollinated plants. In Floral Biology (Edited by Lloyd, D. C., Barret, S. C.) Chapman, New York.Google Scholar
Jeffrey, C. (1990) Systematics of the Cucurbitaceae. In Biology and Utilisation of the Cucurbitaceae (Edited by Bates, D. M., Robinson, R. W. and Jeffrey, C.) Cornell University Press, Ithaca.Google Scholar
Kirkbried, J. H. (1993) Biosystematic monograph of the genus Cucumis (Cucurbitaceae): Botanical identification of cucumbers and melons Carolina Parkway.Google Scholar
Masefield, G. B., Wallis, M. H., Nicholson, B. E. (1969) The Oxford Book of Food Plants, Oxford University Press, London.Google Scholar
Njoroge, G. N. A Survey of some Cucurbitaceae species in Kenya with an analysis of cucurbitacin content, and an identification guide to poisonous and safe species. MSc thesis, Kenyatta University, Nairobi.Google Scholar
Njoroge, G.N., Newton, L.E. (1994) Edible and poisonous species of Cucurbitaceae in the Central Highlands of Kenya. J. E. Afr. Nat. Hist. Soc. 83, 101–115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
TCN (1996) Seedy watermelon. Cucurbit Network News 3 (1), 7.Google Scholar
TCN (1998) Cucurbitorial. Cucurbit Network News 5 (2), 1.Google Scholar