Nectar Replenishment Dynamics and its Influence on Pollination by Tetragonula iridipennis (Smith) in Greenhouse-Grown Cucumis sativus L

Abstract

It is well known that nectar is the primary pollinator attractant, little is known about whether nectar replenishes after being removed. To comprehend how nectar availability affects pollinators behavior and the long-term persistence of floral resources, it is imperative to look into the replenishment process. Our findings highlight the dynamic nature of nectar availability suggest that nectar is not entirely depleted in a single pollinator visit, with measurable amounts remaining or replenished over time, but the amount of nectar varies across time points, according to all four test statistics Pillai's Trace = 0.692, F = 20.769, p < 0.001; Wilks' Lambda = 0.308, F = 20.769, p < 0.001; Hotelling's Trace = 2.245, F = 20.769, p < 0.001; Roy's Largest Root = 2.245, F = 20.769, p < 0.001). This reoccurrence of nectar may be the reason for the increased visits of bees to flower, as increase in the amount of honey in the bee box was observed before and after the experiment. These patterns underscore the adaptive significance of nectar recurrence, supporting sustained pollinator activity and enhancing floral resource utility.