Abstract
Dimorphotheca pluvialis is currently investigated for crop potential as a source of dimorphecolic acid. Seed yield is rather low and erratic, possibly partially as a result of an inferior seed set. The effect of the absence of insects on yield components was studied using three Dimorphotheca populations. Insect-free environments were created by covering small field plots with cages. The cages had no effect on plant and flowering development. In the absence of insects the populations flowered longer and produced fewer seeds with a lower oil content. The combined effect of low seed yield and low oil content in insect-free environments resulted in an 80% reduction of oil yield compared to insect-visited environments. Clearly, in Dimorphotheca pluvialis insects are very important with regard to seed set and oil yield.
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Hof, L., Lange, W. The influence of insect pollination on yield components in Dimorphotheca pluvialis . Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 45, 441–446 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008606528214
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008606528214