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A preliminary study of nectar production of the field cress, Rorippa indica , in relation to the age of its flowers
Author(s) -
Muraoka Kazuyuki,
Watanabe Mamoru
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
ecological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1440-1703
pISSN - 0912-3814
DOI - 10.1007/bf02347239
Subject(s) - nectar , biology , sugar , botany , forage , horticulture , food science , pollen
Floral nectar production quantity and changes in sugar concentration of the nectar of Rorippa indica were investigated. Flowers were sorted by age. The small flower size was a major factor for the use of BCG test paper in nectar sampling. In flowers of the youngest age category, the nectar volume increased toward the night and decreased during the day. The amount of sugar in the nectar decreased with flower age. The sugar concentration was lower at night than daytime. The variability and changes in nectar concentration enabled various species of insects to forage for nectar.