Floral Phenology, Nectar Secretion Dynamics, and Honey Production Potential, of Two Lavender Species (Lavandula Dentata, and L. Pubescens ) in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A b s t r a c tThe aim of the current study was to determine the floral phenology, nectar secretion dynamics, and honey production potentials of two naturally growing lavender species (L. dentata and L. pubescens), in southwestern Saudi Arabia. In both species, flowering is continuous. This means that, when open flowers on a spike are shaded, new flowers emerge. Such a flowering pattern might be advantageous to the plant to minimise competition for pollinators and promote efficient resource allocation. The flowering periods of the two species overlap. Both species secreted increasing amounts of nectar from early morning to late afternoon. The mean maximum volumes of accumulated nectar from bagged flowers occurred at 15:00 for L. pubescens (0.50 ± 0.24 µL/flower) and at 18:00 for L. dentata (0.68 ± 0.19 µL/flower). The volume of the nectar that became available between two successive measurements (three-h intervals) varied from 0.04 µL/flower to 0.28 µL/flower for L. pubescens and from 0.04 µL/flower to 0.35 µL/ flower for L. dentata, This variation reflects the differences in the dynamics of nectar secretion by these species, and indicates the size of the nectar that may be available for flower visitors at given time intervals. The distribution of nectar secretions appears to be an adaptation of the species to reward pollinators for longer duration. Based on the mean amount of nectar sugar secreted by the plants, the honey production potentials of the species are estimated to be 4973.34 mg and 3463.41 mg honey/plant for L. dentata and L. pubescens, respectively.

Flowering and Nectar Secretion in two Forms of the Moldavian Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) – A Plant with Extraordinary Apicultural Potential

“…In the case of the blue-flowered form, which produced 2965 flowers, the sugar mass yielded per plant was 2164 mg. The value of this parameter for the white-flowered D. moldavica plants was higher than that reported by Nuru et al (2015) for Lavandula dentata (4078 mg/plant), which is regarded as a valuable apicultural plant as well. In turn, one blue-flowered D. moldavica plant yielded sugar mass comparable to the value calculated for Lavandula pubescens (2840 mg/plant) (Nuru et al, 2015).…”

“…The value of this parameter for the white-flowered D. moldavica plants was higher than that reported by Nuru et al (2015) for Lavandula dentata (4078 mg/plant), which is regarded as a valuable apicultural plant as well. In turn, one blue-flowered D. moldavica plant yielded sugar mass comparable to the value calculated for Lavandula pubescens (2840 mg/plant) (Nuru et al, 2015). The comparison of honey yield in various representatives of the Lamiacae family demonstrates that this parameter of the analysed white-flowered form of D. moldavica (732 kg •ha -1 ) was higher than that in Salvia pratensis -171 kg •ha -1 (Ion, 2008), Lamium album -191 kg •ha -1 (Sulborska et al, 2014), Origanum vulgare -500 kg •ha -1 (Jabłoński, 1986), and Phlomis tuberosa -500 kg •ha -1 (Jabłoński & Kołtowski, 1999).…”

Nectar secretion dynamics of Ziziphus nummularia : A melliferous species of dry land ecosystems

“…The two years data showed the same flow but averages were different, being higher especially during noon and afternoon of 2015 (noon p < 0.0001; afternoon p < 0.0001). Nectar increase during the afternoon hours has been already recorded in other plant species (Schmidt et al, 2015, Nuru et al, 2015, Giovanetti et al, 2015) and bees have been recorded modulating their foraging behaviour to collect this resource after having collected pollen in the morning (Giovanetti and Lasso, 2005, Giovanetti et al, 2015).

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“…Information related to flower age, weather conditions, and nectar secretion are so limited to help in the prediction trends for nectar secretion and in guiding beekeepers for appropriate measures and practices. Figuring out nectar productivity could lead to extrapolate honey production potentials (Adgaba et al, 2012, Alqarni et al, 2015, Nuru et al, 2015). Honey bees still able to survive and produce honey under adverse harsh climates just when and where melliferous floras are present (Awad et al, 2016).…”

The Features of Reproduction of Lavandula Angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae) at the Botanical Garden of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv

“…Згідно з даними літератури, лаванда розмножується насіннєво і вегетативно [15,19]. Визначали лабораторну схожість і енергію проростання насінин L. angustifolia.…”