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Abstract
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Article Information:
Pollination Efficiency of Bee Species Pollinating Coffea arabica in Kiambu County Kenya
Rebecca H.N. Karanja, Grace N. Njoroge, Mary W. Gikungu and L.E. Newton
Corresponding Author: Rebecca H.N. Karanja
Submitted: August 13, 2013
Accepted: August 30, 2013
Published: September 20, 2014 |
Abstract:
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Prior to commencement of this study, a survey to identify common bees pollinating C. arabica in Kenya was done. Patellapis zonalictus, Apis mellifera and Lasioglossum spp. were identified as the common pollinators of C. arabica flowers. Pollination efficiency was analyzed indirectly by assessing pollen deposition on stigmas. Flowers were bagged at bud stage. When the pollinator exclusion bags were removed, the virgin flowers were allowed a single pollinator visit and then the stigmas crushed on a microscope slide and stained using fuchsin dye. The pollen grains deposited on the stigma were counted under a dissecting microscope. The numbers of non coffee pollen grains were also counted to assess pollen purity. Results indicated that P. zonalictus and Lasioglossum were more efficient pollinators of C. arabica than A. mellifera. They deposited significantly higher amounts of C. arabica pollen grains. The pollen grains also had a significantly higher purity ratio when compared with the pollen grains deposited by Apis mellifera (p<0.001).
Key words: Coffea arabica, pollen deposition, pollen purity, pollinator efficiency, stigma, ,
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Cite this Reference:
Rebecca H.N. Karanja, Grace N. Njoroge, Mary W. Gikungu and L.E. Newton, . Pollination Efficiency of Bee Species Pollinating Coffea arabica in Kiambu County Kenya. Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences, (5): 179-182.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0778
ISSN (Print): 2041-076X |
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