Abstract Detail

Pollination Biology

Caverly, Loriel [1], Schneider, Jessica [2], Carlson, Matthew [3], Amundson, Courtney [4].

Study of pollen limitation in an Alaskan population of Vaccinium uliginosum.

Fruits of Vaccinium uliginosum represent an important resource for wildlife and humans across the circumpolar region. Fruit production is variable spatially and across seasons. We explored the degree to which fruit and seed production in V. uliginosum in the Chugach Mountains, Alaska is pollen limited, using three experimental treatments to the flowers: pollinator exclusion, open natural pollination, and augmented pollination. We counted pollen tetrads on stigmas, weighed and measured fruits, and counted viable seeds from each treatment. We found that V. uliginosum requires visitation for fruit and seed set, despite stigmas in the pollinator exclusion treatment having similar numbers of pollen tetrads as open and augmented treatments. Open and augmented pollination treatments had similar fruit and seed set, indicating that pollination activity at this population in the summer of 2015 was sufficient for maximum fruit production. However, only approximately half of the flowers developed into fruits, despite receiving outcrossed pollen. This finding indicates that fruit and seed set are limited by some other factor such as nutrient availability, at least in years with good weather for pollinators.

1 - Humboldt State University, Biological Sciences , 1 Harpst Street , Arcata, CA, 95521, United States
2 - University of Alaska Anchorage, Beatrice G McDonald Hall Room 113, 2400 W Campus Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, usa
3 - University of Alaska Anchorage, Biological Sciences and Alaska Center for Conservation Science Alaska Natural Heritage Program (ANHP), Beatrice G McDonald Hall 105, 2400 W Campus Drive, Anchorage, AK , 99508, usa
4 - U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Dr., Anchorage,, AK, 99508, United States

Keywords:
Pollen
Vaccinium
Alaska
Pollination 
NSF
REU.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Pollination Biology Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PPL006
Abstract ID:369
Candidate for Awards:None