Pollination of okra flowers, <em>Abelmoschus esculentus</em> (L.) Moench

Abstract

This research was carried out in Ituverava SP Brazil, to evaluate frequency, nectar or pollen hoarding by insects, opening and closing time of flowers in okra crop, Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaceae) var. Chifre-de-veado, and the effect of their visits in fruit production. Flowers were visited by insects between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The flowers were marked and fruit set was evaluated: 10 flowers were protected with a bag and compared to same quantity of unprotected flowers. Okra flowers began opening by 9:40 a.m. to 10 a.m. and closing by 2:45 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. of the same day, when they started to shrivel. The insects observed in nectar hoarding were Hymenoptera (Melipona sp.) and Lepidoptera. In pollen hoarding, insects most frequently were Thysanoptera, Formicidae, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera (Melipona sp. and Apis mellifera). The crop showed 100% auto fertilization and did not require pollinators to produce fruits. However, in flowers visited by insects fruits were heavier, longer and wider