Preliminary observations on insect pollinator activity on Macadamia nut (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche) in Kodagu, Karnataka

摘要

Macadamia integrifolia (Family: Proteaceae) is an evergreen tree native to subtropical coastal regions of Australia (Heard, 1993). The fine cmnchy texture, rich creamy colour and unique delicate flavour of the macadamia nut have made it one of the world’s finest gourmet dessert nuts. They contain protein (10%) and oil (75%) and also good source of calcium, phosphoms and iron. Macadamia trees produce about 2500 flowers per tree, of which less than 0.3 per cent produce nuts. Flowers are borne on longnarrow racemes arising from the axils of leaves or the scars of fallen leaves. M integrifolia has creamy white flowers borne in clusters 6 to 12 inches long. Macadamias can self-pollinate, although varieties vary from being totally self-compatible to being almost self-sterile. Honeybees are reported to play significant role in macadamia fruit set (Heard, 1993). Macadamia is not widely cviltivated in India but its potential for commercial cultivation is under evaluation. There is no information availableon the diversity of pollinators associated with this crop. We report here the results of a preliminary study conducted to document the diversity and foraging activity of different pollinators on Macadamia at the Central Horticultural Experiment Station(CHES), Chettalli, Kodagu district of Karnaka in the Western Ghat region of India.