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Identification of Pollenkitt Variation among Alfalfa Germplasm Sources

Dep. of Agronomy, and Range Science, Univ. of California, Davis, CA. 95616

^* Corresponding author.

Pollenkitt is the outermost lipid and fatty acid layer of the pollen grain and is thought to contain aroma-producing volatile compounds that are attractive to pollinators. Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) nonpreference for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pollen may result from a deficient pollenkitt. This study was conducted to determine if: (i) a pollenkitt is present on alfalfa pollen, (ii) pollenkitt quantity differs among germplasm sources and among plants within germplasm sources, and (iii) pollenkitt measurements (scores) are reproducible over time. Pollen from 24 individuals in each of eight germplasm sources were stained for lipids with Sudan IV, observed by light microscopy, and then scored using a five-point rating system for the presence and amount of pollenkitt. Pollenkitt was present in all eight germplasm sources. Arabian germplasm had greater (P 0.05) amounts of pollenkitt (mean score 3.77) than all other sources. All sources exhibited within-population variation. If attractive volatiles are associated with alfalfa's pollenkitt, then breeding for increased pollenkitt may increase honey bee preference for alfalfa pollen.

Received for publication December 26, 1990.