Phenology, Pollination and Seed Production of Milletia pinnata in Kununurra, Northern Western Australia

Millettia pinnata L. Panigrahi syn. Pongamia pinnata L. Pierre is a leguminous tree, which produces seed oil suitable for biodiesel. Phenology and pollination were monitored and manipulated to increase seed set and yield. Flowering time in Kununurra occurred for one month from early October and flowering was asynchronous within and between trees. Two legitimate, native bee pollinators, Megachille sp. and Nomia sp, had very low visitation rates (6 and 13 visits) during the peak period from 09.00 – 10.00 and short foraging activity (from 06.00-12.00). High polen vibility (85 ±3%) decreased substantially following storage for 1 year at 4oC to 10±3%, but only slightly to 62 ±3%, but only slightly to 62 ±3% at either -20oC or -80oC. Introduced honey bees (Apis mellifera) increased seed yield from 296 ± to 4981 g/tree, but it remained relatively low and highly variable