NECTAR PRODUCTION AND QUALITY IN JAPANESE PEAR CULTIVARS IN SOUTH BRAZIL

We evaluated the production of nectar and the content of total soluble solids (TSS) of nectar in different Japanese pear cultivars at two locations in southern Brazil. We observed variation in nectar production and in the TSS content of the nectar between years, cultivars and different flower phenological stages (3FX). The nectar production potential (with bagging of the flowers) was greater than that of nectar standing crop (no bagging of flowers) and begins at stages 3F3 and 3F4, respectively, when the flowers are at the balloon stage or newly opened flowers, and usually ends at stage 3F7, when all the anthers are darkened but petal drop has not occurred yet. Higher daily production of nectar (2.6~6.3 µl/flower) and a higher average TSS content in the nectar (5.3~15.4°Brix), typically occurs at stages 3F5 and 3F6. Due to the low TSS content, the attraction of the flowers of these pear cultivars to insect pollinators is probably mainly through its pollen resource.