Some aspects of pollination of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

SUMMARYThe self-fertile cultivar of swede rape (Brassica napus) Maris Haplona does not usually autopollinate. The entomophilie pollen grains cannot be transferred by wind alone; anthers when flicked by insects or artificially under dry conditions behave like catapults raising a cloud of pollen grains.Variability in the concentration of sugar in its two types of nectaries (within a single flower) may increase the range of visiting insects. All visiting insects, including honey bees, carried out pollination; it is suggested that beehives should be placed in fields of oil-seed rape in order to increase pollination.