Sweet solutions: nectar chemistry and quality

Nicolson, Susan W.

doi:10.1098/rstb.2021.0163

Cited by 66 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…A few studies investigated the TABLE 2 The ratio of sum-of-sugars-to-sum-of-inorganic-ions in leaf, nectary and nectar divided according to photosynthesis and pollinator type. Frontiers in Plant Science 09 frontiersin.org influence of other physiological properties of plants, such as the photosynthesis type, on nectar composition (Nicolson, 2022) and these studies have mainly focused on dicots whereas, the inclusion of monocots has been neglected. Moreover, as nectar is produced in nectaries, it is highly advisable to investigate the influence of such factors on nectar and nectaries in parallel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The concentration of inorganic ions affects the electrolyte balance of some pollinators like nectar feeding birds (Hiebert and Calder, 1983). However, the function of inorganic ions in nectar in relation to the physiology of the pollinators are still poorly investigated (Nicolson, 2022). Inorganic ions are more dominant in nectar of chiropterophilous bromeliads than in nectar of trochilophilous bromeliads (Figure 4C).…”

Section: Metabolite and Ion Composition In Nectar And Nectaries Is In...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sugars, mainly the hexoses glucose and fructose, as well as the disaccharide sucrose, are dominant. Besides, nectar contains numerous other compounds, including amino acids, inorganic ions, organic acids, and further secondary compounds, albeit in much lower concentrations than sugars (Baker and Baker, 1973;Adler, 2000;Heil, 2011;Lohaus and Schwerdtfeger, 2014;Nicolson, 2022). The main function of nectar is to attract the relevant pollinators for the particular plant species and to have an impact on plant-pollinator interactions, but also to protect from potential herbivores (Proctor et al, 1996;Kessler et al, 2012;Nicolson, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Inorganic ions in nectar are believed to affect the electrolytic balance of the visitors (Hiebert and Calder, 1983). However, until now interactive effects of different nectar compounds on pollinator responses have rarely been considered (Nicolson, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparative analyses of the metabolite and ion concentrations in nectar, nectaries, and leaves of 36 bromeliads with different photosynthesis and pollinator types

Göttlinger

Lohaus

2022

Front. Plant Sci.

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Floral nectar contains mainly sugars as well as smaller amounts of amino acids and further compounds. The nectar composition varies between different plant species and it is related to the pollination type of the plant. In addition to this, other factors can influence the composition. Nectar is produced in and secreted from nectaries. A few models exist to explain the origin of nectar for dicotyl plant species, a complete elucidation of the processes, however, has not yet been achieved. This is particularly true for monocots or plant species with CAM photosynthesis. To get closer to such an elucidation, nectar, nectaries, and leaves of 36 bromeliad species were analyzed for sugars, starch, amino acids, and inorganic ions. The species studied include different photosynthesis types (CAM/C3), different pollination types (trochilophilous/chiropterophilous), or different live forms. The main sugars in nectar and nectaries were glucose, fructose, and sucrose, the total sugar concentration was about twofold higher in nectar than in nectaries, which suggests that sugars are actively transported from the nectaries into the nectar. The composition of amino acids in nectar is already determined in the nectaries, but the concentration is much lower in nectar than in nectaries, which suggests selective retention of amino acids during nectar secretion. The same applies to inorganic ions. Statistical analyses showed that the photosynthesis type and the pollination type can explain more data variation in nectar than in nectaries and leaves. Furthermore, the pollinator type has a stronger influence on the nectar or nectary composition than the photosynthesis type. Trochilophilous C3 plants showed significant correlations between the nitrate concentration in leaves and the amino acid concentration in nectaries and nectar. It can be assumed that the more nitrate is taken up, the more amino acids are synthesized in leaves and transported to the nectaries and nectar. However, chiropterophilous C3 plants show no such correlation, which means that the secretion of amino acids into the nectar is regulated by further factors. The results help understand the physiological properties that influence nectaries and nectar as well as the manner of metabolite and ion secretion from nectaries to nectar.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Metabolite and Ion Composition In Nectar And Nectaries Is In...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparative analyses of the metabolite and ion concentrations in nectar, nectaries, and leaves of 36 bromeliads with different photosynthesis and pollinator types

Göttlinger

Lohaus

2022

Front. Plant Sci.

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“…Nectar is an energy source for most pollinators. Nicolson [ 47 ] provides a broad synthesis of nectar chemistry and nutritional quality, including implications for vertebrate pollinators as well as bees. The historical context of research on nectar chemistry is touched on, but also recent metabolomic studies (e.g.…”

Section: Nutrients In Nectar and Pollen And Their Importance For Poll...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural processes influencing pollinator health

Stevenson

Koch

Nicolson

et al. 2022

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Evidence from the last few decades indicates that pollinator abundance and diversity are at risk, with many species in decline. Anthropogenic impacts have been the focus of much recent work on the causes of these declines. However, natural processes, from plant chemistry, nutrition and microbial associations to landscape and habitat change, can also profoundly influence pollinator health. Here, we argue that these natural processes require greater attention and may even provide solutions to the deteriorating outlook for pollinators. Existing studies also focus on the decline of individuals and colonies and only occasionally at population levels. In the light of this we redefine pollinator health and argue that a top-down approach is required focusing at the ecological level of communities. We use examples from the primary research, opinion and review articles published in this special issue to illustrate how natural processes influence pollinator health, from community to individuals, and highlight where some of these processes could mitigate the challenges of anthropogenic and natural drivers of change. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry to landscapes’.

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Ten‐a‐day: Bumblebee pollen loads reveal high consistency in foraging breadth among species, sites and seasons

Timberlake,

de Vere,

Jones

et al. 2024

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Pollen and nectar are crucial resources for bees but vary greatly among plant species in their quantity, nutritional quality and timing of availability. This makes it challenging to identify an appropriate range of plants to meet the nutritional needs of bees throughout the year, though this information is important in the design of pollinator conservation schemes. Using DNA metabarcoding of pollen loads, we record the floral resource use of UK farmland bumblebees at different stages of their colony lifecycle, and compare this with null models of ‘expected’ resource use based on landscape‐scale resource availability (pollen and nectar), to identify foraging priorities and preferences. We use this approach to ask three main questions: (i) what is the foraging breadth of individual bumblebees?; (ii) do bumblebees utilise a greater or lesser diversity of plant species than expected if they foraged in proportion to resource availability?; (iii) which plant species do bumblebees preferentially utilise? Individual bumblebees foraged from a highly consistent number of different plant taxa (mean: 10 ± 0.37 SE per bee), regardless of their species, sampling site or time of year. This high consistency in foraging breadth, despite large changes in the quantity, identity and diversity of resource availability, implies a strong behavioural tendency towards a fixed range of foraging resources. This effect was most striking in April when foraging diversity was maintained despite very low landscape‐level resource diversity. Bumblebees used some plant taxa significantly more than predicted from their landscape‐level floral abundance, nectar or pollen supply, implying certain desirable characteristics beyond the mere quantity of resource. These included Allium spp. and Vicia spp. in April; Trifolium repens and Lotus corniculatus in July and Cardueae spp. (thistles) and Taraxacum officinale in September. Practical implication: Our results strongly indicate that resource quantity is not the only factor driving bumblebee foraging patterns and that resource diversity and quality are also important factors. Thus, in addition to providing large quantities of floral resources, we recommend that pollinator conservation schemes also focus on providing a sufficient diversity of preferred floral resources, enabling pollinators to self‐select a diverse and nutritious diet.

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Sweet solutions: nectar chemistry and quality

Cited by 66 publications

References 138 publications

Comparative analyses of the metabolite and ion concentrations in nectar, nectaries, and leaves of 36 bromeliads with different photosynthesis and pollinator types

Comparative analyses of the metabolite and ion concentrations in nectar, nectaries, and leaves of 36 bromeliads with different photosynthesis and pollinator types

Natural processes influencing pollinator health

Ten‐a‐day: Bumblebee pollen loads reveal high consistency in foraging breadth among species, sites and seasons

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