Polinização na caramboleira (Averrhoa carambola L.) por Apis mellifera L. : requerimentos da cultura e eficiência do polinizador

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the floral biology, the pollinators, pollination requirements and pollinating efficiency of Apis mellifera L. bee in star fruit tree. The survey was conducted between the months of December 2015 to March 2016 in an orchard belonging to the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco, municipality of Brejão, Agreste Pernambucano. The results showed that the flower anthesis took place from 07:00, but only to 08:00 all the flowers were open. The flower carambola presented longevity just one day, and its receptive stigma throughout the period that the flower remained open. six families insects were observed, but there was a predominance of bee species Trigona sp. and Apis mellifera. These bees foraged during the day, and Trigona sp. looking mainly resin in floral peduncle and A. mellifera exclusively for nectar. Honeybees spent on average 4,26 seconds to collect nectar and Trigona sp. spending an average of 24,64 seconds on each flower to collect the same resource. Regarding pollination requirements, studies have shown that there was initial fruit set in all forms of employed pollinations (free, restricted to paper, restricted with tulle and with a single visit of A. mellifera). However, a visit by A. mellifera, avenged (p<0,05) more fruit than other pollinations tests. Although several taxa of insects visit the flowers of star fruit, A. mellifera promoted greater (p<0,05) fruit set that all employees pollination treatments, presenting behavior efficient pollinator of that culture, to mitigate the pollination deficit and maximize fruit production.