COMPORTAMENTO DE POLINIZADORES E SISTEMA REPRODUTIVO DE ERVA-DOCE CULTIVADA EM CAMPO CONSORCIADO COM ALGODÃO

Abstract

The pollination is currently recognized as impor tant factor of production in the driving of many crops. The objective of this research was to study the reproductive biology of fennel in the field int ercropped with colored cotton (BRS Safira) in the presence an d absence of insecticide Actara and evaluate the pe rform- ance of their floral visitors. The evaluations were conducted in an experimental field in the municipa lity of Lagoa Seca-PB. Plots were evaluated: P 1 = fennel in the absence of insecticide; P 2 = fennel in the presence of insecticide; P 3 = fennel intercropped with cotton in the absence o f insecticide; P 4 = fennel intercropped with cotton in the presence of insecticide. In each plot data were recorded on the inflorescence and flower s such as floral morphology, color, time, duration and sequen ce of anthesis and observed aspects related to time , fre- quency, duration and visiting behavior. For analysi s of the reproductive system was evaluated the natu ral polli- nation and self-pollination by the number of fruits formed, weight of thousand seeds and number of see ds/kg. The hermaphrodite flowers are yellow in color, have 5 mm in diameter, have five petals, have short cor olla and inferior ovary containing two ova. After anthesis, the flowers remained open for approximately 24 hour s. Ob- served self-pollination in this species, but there is increased production of fruits and seeds in the natural polli- nation. The bee Apis mellifera is the most efficient pollinator of this species, with a higher number of visits to the plots without insecticide application, regardle ss of single planting or intercropping system.