Influence of genotype, floral stage, and water stress on floral nectar yield and composition of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium).

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Floral nectar can be variable in composition, influencing pollinator behaviour and the composition of honey derived from it. The non-peroxide antibacterial activity of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium, Myrtaceae) honey results from the chemical conversion of the triose sugar dihydroxyacetone (DHA), after DHA accumulates for an unknown reason in the nectar. This study examined variation in nectar DHA, glucose, fructose and sucrose content with floral stage of development, between mānuka genotypes with differing flower morphology, and in response to water stress.

Methods

Six mānuka genotypes were grown without nectar-feeding insects. Stages of flower development were defined, nectar was harvested and its composition was compared between stages and genotypes,

SUBMITTER: Clearwater MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5838834 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature