Flower-visitor diversity and pollination of Indian olive (Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume)

Abstract

This study assessed flower-visitor assemblages, breeding system and pollination of Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume (Elaeocarpaceae) which is widely distributed throughout Asian countries. As soon as flowers opened, an array of flower visitors including members of Diptera, Hymenoptera and Thysanoptera visited flowers for their forage. The members of Diptera (82.6%) were the dominant visitors in comparison to Hymenoptera (10.4%) and Thysanoptera (7.0%). The flower visitor frequency, activity rate and index of visitation rate revealed that Chrysomya sp., Musca domestica and Eristalinus sp. of Diptera acted as potential pollinators. Self-incompatibility index and reproductive efficacy were 0.53 and 0.35 respectively, indicating incomplete self-compatibility. Hand pollination showed significantly higher fruit set in xenogamous pollination (36%) than open pollination (12.82%). A detailed understanding of such flower-visitor interactions will be helpful in the conservation and sustenance of the species as well as biodiversity.