Aspectos de interesse da polinização entomófila de Helianthus annuus L. no Recôncavo Baiano

Abstract

This research work had as an aim to get information on the floral biology and agronomic characteristics of the chapters of two sunflower hybrids, the visiting bees species and the schedules of visit in the chapters providing information that contribute to the development of the culture in Recôncavo Baiano Region, State of Bahia. This study was carried out over the span of June 2004 throught July of 2005, in the hybrid AG 920 and AG 930 of AGROBEL cultivated in the experimental field of Entomology of the Center of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences of the Federal University of Bahia, Cruz das Almas, State of Bahia, Brazil. The blossom period of hibrid AG 920 was smaller and presented lower values than the hybrid AG 930 to the parameters of opening of the tubulous flowers, chapter diameter, weight of 1000 achenes, number and weight of achenes in grains and total. A total of twenty-six species was identified being the Apis mellifera the most abundant species (58.32%), followed by Nannotrigona testaceicornis (18.53%) and Trigona spinipes (11.37%) and the other species showed an inferior relative frequency for 5%. Individuals visitation was from 7:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., to the species A. mellifera, N. testaceicornis, T. spinipes, T. hyalinata, Melipona scutellaris and Partamona helleri. In that break the applying of chemicals must be avoided in the culture in order not to harm the bee’ activities.