# Temporal Dynamics of Nectar and Pollen Production in Protandrous Flowers of Nigella damascena

## TL;DR

This study tracks nectar and pollen production in Nigella damascena flowers over two years, showing how these resources change with flower age and affect pollinators.

## Contribution

The study reveals temporal dynamics of nectar and pollen production in protandrous flowers and their variation across years.

## Key findings

- Nectar secretion increases steadily and peaks when stigma receptivity is highest.
- Nectar sugar composition changes between male and female floral phases.
- Floral traits and pollinator visitation vary significantly between years.

## Abstract

This study examined nectar and pollen production as well as pollinator visitation in Nigella damascena (Ranunculaceae), an annual ornamental and seed crop, over two flowering seasons. Flower anthesis lasted 6–7 days, with protandry: the male phase began on the first day, and pollen presentation continued until corolla senescence. Peak stigma receptivity occurred in 5-day-old flowers, resulting in a partial overlap of male and female functions between days 5 and 7. Nectar was secreted by petal-derived structures, with secretion beginning in 1-day-old flowers and steadily increasing, peaking on the day of maximum stigma receptivity. The nectar sugar composition differed between floral phases; it was sucrose-dominant in the male phase and sucrose-rich in the female phase. Significant year effects were observed for flowering abundance, nectar traits (volume, sugar production, concentration), and pollen output. Flowers were visited predominantly by honey bees, but bumblebees, solitary bees, and dipterans were also recorded. These results demonstrate that floral reward traits vary between years and contribute to differences in the temporal availability of nectar and pollen resources.