Rocky Mountain Research Station

Title: The pollination ecology of Hedysarum boreale Nutt. (Fabaceae) and evaluation of its pollinating bees for restoration seed production

Author: Swoboda, Katharine A.

Date: 2007

Source: Logan, UT: Utah State University. 117 p. Thesis.

Description: Federal land managers desire a consistent and cost-effective source of Hedysarum boreale Nutt. seed for rangeland restoration in the Great Basin and adjacent ecosystems. The breeding biology of H. boreale was assessed via hand pollination experiments at 2 sites in Cache County, Utah, USA in 2003. H. boreale was found to be self-compatible, but did not produce fruit and seeds in the absence of bee visitors. Xenogamy (out-crossing) treatments resulted in increased seed viability and decreased predispersal reproductive attrition. H. boreale was found to be homogamous during 2004 experiments designed to determine the timing and duration of stigma receptivity. H. boreale stigmas became receptive during the mature bud stage prior to flower opening (anthesis) and remained receptive for several days. H. boreale proved to be very rewarding in terms of floral resources; flowers contained abundant pollen grains and nectar of comparatively high sugar concentration.

Keywords: Hedysarum boreale Nutt. (Fabaceae), Great Basin, ecosystems, xenogamy (out-crossing) treatments

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Citation

Swoboda, Katharine A.  2007.  The pollination ecology of Hedysarum boreale Nutt. (Fabaceae) and evaluation of its pollinating bees for restoration seed production.   Logan, UT: Utah State University. 117 p. Thesis..