Laboratory of Reproductive Ecology of Plants

Keywords: pollination, plant diversity, plant reproduction, nectar, pollen

In the laboratory of Reproductive Ecology of Plants, located in Bologna (Italy), Via Irnerio 42 (rooms E16, E17), educational and research activities on plant diversity, the strategies and ecology of plant reproduction. More specifically:

• Preparation of entomological samples
• Preparation of plant herbarium specimens (exsiccata, in collaboration with SMA- Herbarium of Bologna)
• Analyses on the resources allocated to the plant reproductive functions
• Pollen germination tests (in vivo and in vitro)
• Vitality tests and germination tests on seeds
• Analyses on flower morpho-functional traits
• Palynological analyses

Laboratory equipment

Other than the basic equipment, the lab of Reproductive Ecology of Plants is equipped with:

• phytotron
• optical and digital stereomicroscope
• optical microscopes
• precision balance

Teaching, training, and research activities

The laboratory allows thesis internships (for bachelor and master’s degree students) and hosts both PhD students and postdocs.

For what it concerns the investigation of physiology and behavior of insect model species fed with different artificial nectars, the lab finds support in the lab of Entomology in Cadriano (DISTAL, University of Bologna) and in the collaboration with CREA-AA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics – Agriculture and Environment).