<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Oilseed rape is an economically important crop and provides a good nectar resource. In this study, the nectar secretion characteristics of five winter oilseed rape (<italic>Brassica napus</italic> L.) cultivars in China were examined throughout the daytime. The correlations of corolla opening size, air temperature and relative humidity with nectar production were also determined. Different daily patterns of nectar secretion were detected in flowers opening at different times of the day, and similar trends were observed among cultivars. The nectar volume and nectar sugar concentration in flowers that opened before 9:00 peaked on the first day. The nectar volume of flowers that opened at 11:00 peaked on the second day, and the nectar sugar concentration peaked on the first day. The total nectar yield of flowers opening before 9:00 (4.422–5.265 μl) was lower than that of flowers opening at 11:00 (7.982–10.646 μl). The average nectar sugar concentration of flowers opening before 9:00 (18.4–23.3%) was higher than that of flowers opening at 11:00 (15.3–17.5%). The nectar volume was positively correlated with air temperature and relative humidity, while the nectar sugar concentration was positively correlated with air temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity. The nectar volume and nectar sugar concentration were positively correlated with corolla opening size. The glucose/fructose ratio ranged from 0.89 to 1.44. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the nectar secretion patterns of <italic>B. napus</italic> L. and will support further studies assessing the melliferous potential of <italic>B. napus</italic> L. and the temporal dynamics of plant-pollinator interactions.</p>
</abstract>

Oilseed rape is an economically important crop and provides a good nectar resource. In this study, the nectar secretion characteristics of five winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars in China were examined throughout the daytime. The correlations of corolla opening size, air temperature and relative humidity with nectar production were also determined. Different daily patterns of nectar secretion were detected in flowers opening at different times of the day, and similar trends were observed among cultivars. The nectar volume and nectar sugar concentration in flowers that opened before 9:00 peaked on the first day. The nectar volume of flowers that opened at 11:00 peaked on the second day, and the nectar sugar concentration peaked on the first day. The total nectar yield of flowers opening before 9:00 (4.422–5.265 μl) was lower than that of flowers opening at 11:00 (7.982–10.646 μl). The average nectar sugar concentration of flowers opening before 9:00 (18.4–23.3%) was higher than that of flowers opening at 11:00 (15.3–17.5%). The nectar volume was positively correlated with air temperature and relative humidity, while the nectar sugar concentration was positively correlated with air temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity. The nectar volume and nectar sugar concentration were positively correlated with corolla opening size. The glucose/fructose ratio ranged from 0.89 to 1.44. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the nectar secretion patterns of B. napus L. and will support further studies assessing the melliferous potential of B. napus L. and the temporal dynamics of plant-pollinator interactions.

Relationships between Flower Opening Time, Environmental Conditions, Corolla Opening Size and Nectar Production in Five Winter Oilseed Rape (<italic>Brassica napus</italic> L.) Cultivars in China

State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research

Sericulture and Apiculture Research Institute

Journal of Apicultural Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Relationships between Flower Opening Time, Environmental Conditions, Corolla Opening Size and Nectar Production in Five Winter Oilseed Rape ( L.) Cultivars in China

Oilseed rape is an economically important crop and provides a good nectar resource. In this study, the nectar secretion characteristics of five winter oilseed...

Relationships between Flower Opening Time, Environmental Conditions, Corolla Opening Size and Nectar Production in Five Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars in China

Article Category: Original Article

Published Online: Jun 30, 2023

Page range: 57 - 72

Received: Jan 02, 2023

Accepted: Apr 04, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2023-0005

Keywords
oilseed rape, nectar volume, sugar concentration, glucose, fructose, temperature

© 2023 Ran Liu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Relationships between Flower Opening Time, Environmental Conditions, Corolla Opening Size and Nectar Production in Five Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars in China

Article Category: Original Article

Published Online: Jun 30, 2023

Page range: 57 - 72

Received: Jan 02, 2023

Accepted: Apr 04, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2023-0005

Keywordsoilseed rape, nectar volume, sugar concentration, glucose, fructose, temperature

© 2023 Ran Liu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
oilseed rape, nectar volume, sugar concentration, glucose, fructose, temperature