HSA | Soils and Sustainability
color and frequency of pollinator visits
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
Agriculture
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
megan taylor
Presentation Format
Event
Abstract/Description
Pollination study: Color and frequency of pollinator visits.
PI: Megan Taylor and Prathima Savaram
Objective: Determine if zinnia color plays a significant role in pollinator diversity and time of activity.
The flower color plays a significant role in pollination. The color of the flower is one of the factors that attracts the pollinator for the pollination to occur. In many cases, the number of the pollinators visiting plant/ flower may increase in relation to the color of the flower. The total number of pollinators visiting a flower per unit time is defined as the ‘pollinator visitation’ or flower visitation rate. This is the most common factor used to verify the animal pollination and it’s contribution to reproduction in plants. Animal pollination is considered as a key Regulator in ecosystem service and best pathway because of the mutual benefits between pollinators and the plants. Plant-pollinator interaction are also based on global climate change or global drivers like invasive species and habitat loss. Changes in the visitation rate influences the seed and fruit production in which both are directly related. The lower is the flower visitation rate the less is the crop production. This study helps to evaluate the issues and timing. Observation will take place in a 4 week time frame in august through early September. The data is collected at variable times and range from 8 to 10am, 1 to 4 pm, 11 to 2 pm and 3 to 4 pm. Each plot will be observed for 5 min and the dominant color of the flower is recorded. The frequency of visitation is calculated based on total visits and total blooms Plots were set up at pullen farm with 4 zinnia varieties and each variety is observed through range of times listed above. These timings will serve as replicates. Weather , Time are recorder at each sampling data and shared in a spreadsheet. Pink and red colors are dominant among all other colors. High visitation rate is from 11 to 2 pm and gradually decreased between 1 and 4pm and is less in the morning from 8 to 10am. Mostly moths, butterflies- lepidopterans visited the flowers and the weather is usually sunny.
Fall Scholars Week 2022 Event
Soils and Sustainability
color and frequency of pollinator visits
Pollination study: Color and frequency of pollinator visits.
PI: Megan Taylor and Prathima Savaram
Objective: Determine if zinnia color plays a significant role in pollinator diversity and time of activity.
The flower color plays a significant role in pollination. The color of the flower is one of the factors that attracts the pollinator for the pollination to occur. In many cases, the number of the pollinators visiting plant/ flower may increase in relation to the color of the flower. The total number of pollinators visiting a flower per unit time is defined as the ‘pollinator visitation’ or flower visitation rate. This is the most common factor used to verify the animal pollination and it’s contribution to reproduction in plants. Animal pollination is considered as a key Regulator in ecosystem service and best pathway because of the mutual benefits between pollinators and the plants. Plant-pollinator interaction are also based on global climate change or global drivers like invasive species and habitat loss. Changes in the visitation rate influences the seed and fruit production in which both are directly related. The lower is the flower visitation rate the less is the crop production. This study helps to evaluate the issues and timing. Observation will take place in a 4 week time frame in august through early September. The data is collected at variable times and range from 8 to 10am, 1 to 4 pm, 11 to 2 pm and 3 to 4 pm. Each plot will be observed for 5 min and the dominant color of the flower is recorded. The frequency of visitation is calculated based on total visits and total blooms Plots were set up at pullen farm with 4 zinnia varieties and each variety is observed through range of times listed above. These timings will serve as replicates. Weather , Time are recorder at each sampling data and shared in a spreadsheet. Pink and red colors are dominant among all other colors. High visitation rate is from 11 to 2 pm and gradually decreased between 1 and 4pm and is less in the morning from 8 to 10am. Mostly moths, butterflies- lepidopterans visited the flowers and the weather is usually sunny.