POLLINATION PRACTICES AND THE USE OF BEES IN VACCINIUM CROPS

Pollination, a critical component of fruit production in Vaccinium crops, must be included by growers in management strategies to ensure good yields.
Even though not all Vaccinium crops require cross pollination, a biotic agent, in particular bees, move pollen from flower to flower. Vaccinium flowers are adapted to vibratile pollination (AKA ‘buzz’ pollination), a specialized foraging behaviour by many but not all bees.
Bumble bees and many other indigenous bees forage for pollen in this manner, while honey bees do not.
Pollen foraging bees have been shown to be more effective pollinators than those collecting only nectar.
A diverse group of indigenous bees visit Vaccinium and their importance to fruit production is only just beginning to be recognized.
Areas surrounding fields provide important habitat to pollinators and the more diverse the landscape, the more resilient the resident pollinator population is.
Rarely are indigenous bees abundant enough to pollinate large, commercial plantings, thus, managed bees are brought into fields.
While honey bees have been the mainstay of commercial pollination service, increasingly, managed bumble bees and alfalfa leafcutting bees are being used in blueberry and cranberry in North America.
Enhancement of pollination by managed and indigenous bee pollinators can be achieved through the incorporation of ‘bee-friendly’ practices into crop management plans.

IX International Vaccinium Symposium

K. MacKenzie

pollination requirements, honey bees, bumble bees, alfalfa leafcutting bees, indigenous bees, bee habitat

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.810.70