Pollination and fruit development in araticum

Abstract

Typical fruit of brazilian Savannah, the araticum, Annona crassilfora Mart., presents economical and feed potential. However, presents low production. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reproductive system of araticum and to identify its possible pollinators. The experiment was conducted in the surroundings of Goiânia city, State of Goiás, Brazil (16°35'56,0" S 49°16'44,4" W; 727 m) and Vila Propício (15°15'37,0" S 48°42'30,9" W; 696 m), during the seasons of 2004 and 2005. The outlining was in random blocks with four treatments: hand cross-pollination (T1); natural pollination (T2); spontaneous self-pollination (T3) and hand self-pollination (T4). Pollen viability was checked using 1% acetic carmine. In 2004, the percentages of fruit set in Goiânia were: 39,46%, 0% and 0% in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. In Vila Propício were: 31,11%, 4,65% and 0% in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. In 2005, the percentages of fruit set in Goiânia were: 64,24%, 4,72%, 0% and 34,38% in T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. In Vila Propício, three species of beetles were collected in araticum's flowers and identified as: Cyclocephala atricapilla Mannerheim, Cyclocephala latericia Hohne e Cyclocephala octopunctata Burmeister. In Goiânia, only Cyclocephala octopunctata Burmeister was collected. Hand crosspollination presented higher fructification. Araticum is a self-compatible species, but mainly allogamous.