Global optimization methods play an important role to solve many real-world problems. Flower pollination algorithm (FP) is a new nature-inspired algorithm, based on the characteristics of flowering plants. In this paper, a new hybrid optimization method called hybrid flower pollination algorithm (FPPSO) is proposed. The method combines the standard flower pollination algorithm (FP) with the par...

The transfer of herbicide resistance genes by pollen is a major concern in cross-pollinated species such as annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum). A two-year study was conducted in the greenhouse, under favorable conditions for pollination, to generate information on potential maximum cross-pollination. This maximum cross-pollination rate was 56.1%. A three-year field trial was also conducted to stu...

The extent of our reliance on animal pollination for world crop production for human food has not previously been evaluated and the previous estimates for countries or continents have seldom used primary data. In this review, we expand the previous estimates using novel primary data from 200 countries and found that fruit, vegetable or seed production from 87 of the leading global food crops is...

The pollination biology of the cactus Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum was studied in a tropical location in western Mexico (ca. 18° N latitude) to compare with data from a northern population (ca. 28° N latitude). Throughout this range, the nectar-feeding bat Leptonycteris curasoae is resident within the tropics but migratory in its northern range. The hypothesis was tested that if a predictable ...

Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus [L.] G. Don), an important medicinal plant, is an allogamous species in which the stigma is below the anthers. The receptive portion is at the base of the stigmatic head and thus automatic intra-flower self-pollination is excluded. The structure of the flower is of typical reverse herkogamy and pollination occurs through nectar-seeking insects. A few self-pollina...

In diverse pollinator communities, interspecific interactions may modify the behaviour and increase the pollination effectiveness of individual species. Because agricultural production reliant on pollination is growing, improving pollination effectiveness could increase crop yield without any increase in agricultural intensity or area. In California almond, a crop highly dependent on honey bee ...

In response to pollination maize silks undergo an accelerated process of senescence which involves an inhibition of elongation. To gain insight into the mechanism underlying this growth response, the relationships among silk elongation kinetics, cell wall biophysical properties, pollen tube growth, and expansin protein abundance were investigated. The inhibition of silk elongation became appare...

If climate change affects pollinator-dependent crop production, this will have important implications for global food security because insect pollinators contribute to production for 75% of the leading global food crops. We investigate whether climate warming could result in indirect impacts upon crop pollination services via an overlooked mechanism, namely temperature-induced shifts in the diu...

Low female fertility in bananas is the biggest hurdle for banana breeding. The aim of this study was to determine seed set patterns East African Highland Cooking (EAHBs) inform future decisions on a more targeted approach increasing and subsequently banana-breeding efficiency. Matooke (AAA) Mchare (AA) are genetically distinct but belong same genetic complex, referred as EAHBs. Seed “Enzirabahi...