STUDIES ON THE FLORAL ARCHITECTURE, POTENTIALITY OF POLLINATORS IN ENHANCING THE FRUIT YIELD AND QUALITY PARAMETERS OF DRAGON FRUIT, Hylocereus spp. (Fam. Cactaceae
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Date
2022-12-22
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University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
Abstract
The floral biology of Hylocereus undatus Haw. and Hylocereus polyrhizus Haw. in relation to floral visitors for enhancing cross pollination studied at farmer’s field, Suradenupura, Yelahanka, Bengaluru during 2021-22. Totally, 61 parameters with respect to morphology and floral biology were recorded. The flowering period initiated during 3rd week of April and required 17.75±0.96 and 19±2.58 days from bud initiation to flower opening in H. undatus and H. polyrhizus, respectively. Anthesis started at 19:00 hrs, reached maximum between 01:30 to 03:40 hrs and closed completely on next day between 11:30 to 12:00 hrs, while, anther dehiscence (14:00 hrs) started 5 hrs before anthesis. Pollen grains were viable (17:00 hrs) after 3 hrs of anther dehiscence, but stigma receptivity (23:00 hrs) started 9 hrs after anther dehiscence, after 6 hrs of pollen viability and 4 hrs after anthesis. Longevity of flower was 16 hrs and 30 minutes. Cessation of flowering is on 2nd week of September in H. undatus and 3rd week of October in H. polyrhizus. Sepals of un-opened flower buds secreted nectar and pollen is major floral reward for floral visitors. Heterostyly and protandry nature of flowers needs external agents for pollination. 14 floral visitors were recorded of which A. mellifera abundance was maximum. Fruit yield and quality attributes including total returns were maximum in open, diurnal and hand pollination compared to nocturnal pollination and control.