Abstract

CARABALI-BANGUERO, Diana; MONTOYA-LERMA, James  and  CARABALI-MUNOZ, Arturo. Effect of the exclusion of the floral visiting insects in the fruit set of Persea americana cv. Hass (Lauraceae). Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2018, vol.34, e3412121.  Epub Oct 30, 2018. ISSN 2448-8445.  https://doi.org/10.21829/azm.2018.3412121.

Insects are considered the main carriers of avocado Persea americana cv. Hass. In order to determine the effect of their exclusion in the fruiting of the crop, this research was proposed in two plantations located in Popayán, Cauca, Colombia. In each farm 10 trees were marked and in each tree 20 inflorescences. Three treatments were evaluated: (a) inflorescences exposed to insect activity (control), (b) covering of inflorescences with cloth bags, and (c) application of insecticide only once and covering of inflorescences with cloth bags. The number of fruits set (fructification) differed significantly between treatments and farms, in the treatment with exposed inflorescences there was a fruit set seven (7) times higher with respect to the treatments with covered inflorescences and covered inflorescences + insecticide, which did not present significant statistical differences among them. Between 12-21 fruits / inflorescence are obtained when the insects are allowed access to the flowers, compared to 2-3 fruits / inflorescence when they are excluded. It is concluded that in the pollination of the crop of P. americana cv. Hass intervenes the wind, however insects have a key role as carriers of pollen.

Keywords : Avocado; Cross-pollination; Apis mellifera; Pollen.

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