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Barragán‐Fonseca KY, Rusman Q, Mertens D, Weldegergis BT, Peller J, Polder G, van Loon JJA, Dicke M. Insect exuviae as soil amendment affect flower reflectance and increase flower production and plant volatile emission. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:931-945. [PMID: 36514238 PMCID: PMC10107842 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Soil composition and herbivory are two environmental factors that can affect plant traits including flower traits, thus potentially affecting plant-pollinator interactions. Importantly, soil composition and herbivory may interact in these effects, with consequences for plant fitness. We assessed the main effects of aboveground insect herbivory and soil amendment with exuviae of three different insect species on visual and olfactory traits of Brassica nigra plants, including interactive effects. We combined various methodological approaches including gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, spectroscopy and machine learning to evaluate changes in flower morphology, colour and the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Soil amended with insect exuviae increased the total number of flowers per plant and VOC emission, whereas herbivory reduced petal area and VOC emission. Soil amendment and herbivory interacted in their effect on the floral reflectance spectrum of the base part of petals and the emission of 10 VOCs. These findings demonstrate the effects of insect exuviae as soil amendment on plant traits involved in reproduction, with a potential for enhanced reproductive success by increasing the strength of signals attracting pollinators and by mitigating the negative effects of herbivory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Y. Barragán‐Fonseca
- Laboratory of EntomologyWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
- Grupo en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre, Instituto de Ciencias NaturalesUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaBogotáColombia
| | - Quint Rusman
- Laboratory of EntomologyWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Daan Mertens
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Joseph Peller
- Greenhouse HorticultureWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Polder
- Greenhouse HorticultureWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Joop J. A. van Loon
- Laboratory of EntomologyWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Laboratory of EntomologyWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
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2
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Alejandre EM, Scherer L, Guinée JB, Aizen MA, Albrecht M, Balzan MV, Bartomeus I, Bevk D, Burkle LA, Clough Y, Cole LJ, Delphia CM, Dicks LV, Garratt MP, Kleijn D, Kovács-Hostyánszki A, Mandelik Y, Paxton RJ, Petanidou T, Potts S, Sárospataki M, Schulp CJ, Stavrinides M, Stein K, Stout JC, Szentgyörgyi H, Varnava AI, Woodcock BA, van Bodegom PM. Characterization Factors to Assess Land Use Impacts on Pollinator Abundance in Life Cycle Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3445-3454. [PMID: 36780611 PMCID: PMC9979645 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While wild pollinators play a key role in global food production, their assessment is currently missing from the most commonly used environmental impact assessment method, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This is mainly due to constraints in data availability and compatibility with LCA inventories. To target this gap, relative pollinator abundance estimates were obtained with the use of a Delphi assessment, during which 25 experts, covering 16 nationalities and 45 countries of expertise, provided scores for low, typical, and high expected abundance associated with 24 land use categories. Based on these estimates, this study presents a set of globally generic characterization factors (CFs) that allows translating land use into relative impacts to wild pollinator abundance. The associated uncertainty of the CFs is presented along with an illustrative case to demonstrate the applicability in LCA studies. The CFs based on estimates that reached consensus during the Delphi assessment are recommended as readily applicable and allow key differences among land use types to be distinguished. The resulting CFs are proposed as the first step for incorporating pollinator impacts in LCA studies, exemplifying the use of expert elicitation methods as a useful tool to fill data gaps that constrain the characterization of key environmental impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M. Alejandre
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Delft
University of Technology, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Scherer
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen B. Guinée
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcelo A. Aizen
- Grupo
de Ecología de la Polinización, INIBIOMA, Universidad
Nacional del Comahue-CONICET, Quintral 1250, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Matthias Albrecht
- Agroecology
and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mario V. Balzan
- Institute
of Applied Sciences, Malta College of Arts,
Science and Technology (MCAST), PLA9032 Paola, Malta
| | - Ignasi Bartomeus
- Estación
Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, Isla de la Cartuja, E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Danilo Bevk
- National
Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Laura A. Burkle
- Department
of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Yann Clough
- Centre
for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund
University, Sölvegatan
37, 22362 Lund Sweden
| | - Lorna J. Cole
- Integrated Land Management, SRUC, JF Niven Building, Auchincruive
Estate, KA6 5HW AYR, U.K.
| | - Casey M. Delphia
- Montana Entomology Collection, Montana
State University, Room 50 Marsh
Laboratory, Bozeman, Montana 59717, United States
| | - Lynn V. Dicks
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EJ Cambridge U.K.
- School of Biological Sciences, University
of East Anglia, Norwich
Research Park, NR4 7TJ Norwich U.K.
| | | | - David Kleijn
- Plant Ecology
and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen
University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anikó Kovács-Hostyánszki
- Centre
for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Lendület Ecosystem Services Research Group, Alkotmány str. 2-4, H-2163 Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Yael Mandelik
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture
Food and Environment, The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, P.O.Box 12, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- Institute for Biology, Martin
Luther University
Halle-Wittenberg, Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- German
Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Theodora Petanidou
- Laboratory
of Biogeography and Ecology, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Simon Potts
- University
of Reading, RG6 6AR Reading, U.K.
| | - Miklós Sárospataki
- Department of Zoology and Ecology, Institute
for Wildlife
Management and Nature Conservation, Hungarian
University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter K. u. 1., H2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Catharina J.E. Schulp
- Department of Environmental Geography,
Institute for
Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Menelaos Stavrinides
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Cyprus
University of Technology, Arch. Kyprianos 30, 3036 Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - Katharina Stein
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Botany
and Botanical Garden, University of Rostock, Wismarsche Strasse 45, 18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Jane C. Stout
- Trinity College Dublin, College Green, D02
PN40 Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Hajnalka Szentgyörgyi
- Department
of Plant Ecology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian
University, ul. Gronostajowa
3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Androulla I. Varnava
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Cyprus
University of Technology, Arch. Kyprianos 30, 3036 Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - Ben A. Woodcock
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, U.K.
| | - Peter M. van Bodegom
- Institute
of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden
University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Leach A, Kaplan I. Prioritizing pollinators over pests: wild bees are more important than beetle damage for watermelon yield. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221279. [PMID: 36350210 PMCID: PMC9653259 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Insect pests and pollinators can interact directly and indirectly to affect crop production; however, impacts of these interactions on marketable yield are little known. Thus, the evaluation of interactions between pests and pollinators are needed to best prioritize management efforts. Over 2 years, we evaluated the impact of pollinator visitation and/or beetle (Acalymma vittatum) infestation on fruit set and yield in seedless watermelon production. In 2020, we tested the main effect of pollinator visitation: two or eight honeybee visits, two wild bee visits, hand pollinated and open pollinated. In 2021, we crossed wild and managed pollinator visitation (two or four honeybee visits, two or four wild bee visits, hand pollinated and open pollinated) with varying beetle infestation levels (0, 3, 6 and 9 beetles/plant). In both years, wild bees contributed significantly to high fruit yields, and exclusive visitation from wild bees increased yield by a factor of 1.5-3 compared to honeybees. In 2021, pollination was the only significant factor for fruit set and marketable yield even when compared to the varying beetle infestation levels. These data advocate for a reprioritization of management, to conserve and protect wild bee pollination, which could be more critical than avoiding pest damage for ensuring high yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Leach
- Department of Entomology, Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ian Kaplan
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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4
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Gao L, Yu G, Hu F, Li Z, Li W, Peng C. The Patterns of Male and Female Flowers in Flowering Stage May Not Be Optimal Resource Allocation for Fruit and Seed Growth. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10122819. [PMID: 34961290 PMCID: PMC8706146 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the proportions of male and female flowers in monoecious plants in response to external environmental conditions are directly related to the reproductive fitness of plants. The monoecious cucumber (Cucumber sativus) plant was used in this study to assess the responses of sex differentiation and the breeding process to nutrient supply and the degree of artificial pollination using pollen solutions of different concentrations. We found that the nutrient supply significantly improved the number of female flowers, while pollination treatments did not obviously increase the number of male flowers. Continuous pollination changed the number of female flowers especially in the later stage of the pollination experiment. Therefore, pollination changed the ratio of male and female flowers in the flowering stage of cucumber. Pollination treatment affected the fruit growth, seed set, and fruit yield. The number of fruit, fruit set percentage, and total seeds per plant did not increase with the pollination level, but individual fruit weight and seed number in one fruit did increase. The differentiation of male and female flowers in the flowering stage of cucumber is a response to nutrient and pollination resources, but this response is not the optimal resource allocation for subsequent fruit development and seed maturity, which suggests that the response of plants to external environment resources is short-term and direct.
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5
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Landscape Enhancements in Apple Orchards: Higher Bumble Bee Queen Species Richness, but No Effect on Apple Quality. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12050421. [PMID: 34066789 PMCID: PMC8151366 DOI: 10.3390/insects12050421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Pollinators are essential to produce fruits in apple production. Bumble bees are among the most effective pollinators in orchards during the blooming season, yet they are often threatened by the high levels of pesticide use in apple production. Hedgerows and flower strips are infrequently sprayed by pesticides and are thus potentially good shelter for bumble bees. This study evaluated the influence of landscaping in the form of hedgerows and flower strips on the abundance and number of bumble bee species found in apple orchards. The number of bumble bee species found in orchards with hedgerows or flower strips was higher than in orchards without such landscape enhancements. Similarly, three species were more abundant in orchards with landscaping than orchards without those enhancements. Our work provides additional evidence that landscaping in the form of hedgerows and/or flower strips improves bumble bee presence in apple orchards and should therefore be considered as a means to enhance and ensure pollination within farms. Abstract Bumble bees are among the most effective pollinators in orchards during the blooming period, yet they are often threatened by the high levels of pesticide use in apple production. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of landscape enhancements (e.g., hedgerows, flower strips) on bumble bee queens in apple orchards. Bumble bee queens from 12 orchards in southern Québec (Canada) were marked, released, and recaptured in the springs and falls of 2017 to 2019. Half of the 12 orchards had landscape enhancements. Apples were harvested in 2018 and 2019 to compare their quality (weight, diameter, sugar level, and seed number) in sites with and without landscape enhancements. Species richness, as well as the occurrence of three species out of eight, was higher in orchards with landscape enhancements than in orchards without such structures. The occurrence of Bombus ternarius was lower in orchards with high levels of pesticide use. Apples had fewer seeds when collected in orchards with landscape enhancements and were heavier in orchards that used more pesticides. Our work provides additional evidence that landscape enhancements improve bumble bee presence in apple orchards and should therefore be considered as a means to enhance pollination within farms.
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6
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Solhaug EM, Roy R, Venterea RT, Carter CJ. The role of alanine synthesis and nitrate-induced nitric oxide production during hypoxia stress in Cucurbita pepo nectaries. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 105:580-599. [PMID: 33119149 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Floral nectar is a sugary solution produced by nectaries to attract and reward pollinators. Nectar metabolites, such as sugars, are synthesized within the nectary during secretion from both pre-stored and direct phloem-derived precursors. In addition to sugars, nectars contain nitrogenous compounds such as amino acids; however, little is known about the role(s) of nitrogen (N) compounds in nectary function. In this study, we investigated N metabolism in Cucurbita pepo (squash) floral nectaries in order to understand how various N-containing compounds are produced and determine the role of N metabolism in nectar secretion. The expression and activity of key enzymes involved in primary N assimilation, including nitrate reductase (NR) and alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT), were induced during secretion in C. pepo nectaries. Alanine (Ala) accumulated to about 35% of total amino acids in nectaries and nectar during peak secretion; however, alteration of vascular nitrate supply had no impact on Ala accumulation during secretion, suggesting that nectar(y) amino acids are produced by precursors other than nitrate. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) is produced from nitrate and nitrite, at least partially by NR, in nectaries and nectar. Hypoxia-related processes are induced in nectaries during secretion, including lactic acid and ethanolic fermentation. Finally, treatments that alter nitrate supply affect levels of hypoxic metabolites, nectar volume and nectar sugar composition. The induction of N metabolism in C. pepo nectaries thus plays an important role in the synthesis and secretion of nectar sugar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik M Solhaug
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Rahul Roy
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Rodney T Venterea
- Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Clay J Carter
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
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Wyckhuys KAG, Aebi A, Bijleveld van Lexmond MFIJ, Bojaca CR, Bonmatin JM, Furlan L, Guerrero JA, Mai TV, Pham HV, Sanchez-Bayo F, Ikenaka Y. Resolving the twin human and environmental health hazards of a plant-based diet. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 144:106081. [PMID: 32889485 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Food can be health-giving. A global transition towards plant-based diets may equally help curb carbon emissions, slow land-system change and conserve finite resources. Yet, projected benefits of such 'planetary health' diets imperfectly capture the environmental or societal health outcomes tied to food production. Here, we examine pesticide-related hazards of fruit and vegetable consumption, and list proven management alternatives per commodity, geography and chemical compound. Across countries, pesticide use in these alleged healthful foods is extensive with up to 97% food items containing residues and up to 42% posing dietary risks to consumers. Multiple residues are present in 70-92% of US- and China-grown stone fruit while 58% US cauliflower is tainted with neonicotinoid insecticides. Science-based alternatives and decision-support frameworks can help food producers reduce risks and potential harm by deliberately abstaining from pesticide use. As such, opportunities abound to advance 'win-win' diets that simultaneously nurture human health and conserve global biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris A G Wyckhuys
- Institute of Plant Protection, China Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China; Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China; University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Chrysalis Consulting, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | | | | | | | - Jean-Marc Bonmatin
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS, Orléans, France.
| | | | | | - Trinh V Mai
- Institute of Agricultural Environment, Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Hoi V Pham
- Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Viet Nam
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Tschoeke PH, Oliveira EE, Dalcin MS, Silveira-Tschoeke MCAC, Sarmento RA, Santos GR. Botanical and synthetic pesticides alter the flower visitation rates of pollinator bees in Neotropical melon fields. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 251:591-599. [PMID: 31108292 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The ecological and economic contributions of pollinator bees to agricultural production have been threatened by the inappropriate and excessive use of pesticides. These pesticides are often applied in areas with ecological peculiarities (e.g., the Neotropical savannah-like region termed as Cerrado) that were not considered during the product development. Here, we conducted field experiments with melon (i.e., Cucumis melo L.) plants cultivated under Brazilian Cerrado conditions and evaluated the impacts of botanical (i.e., neem-based insecticide) and synthetic (i.e., the pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin and the fungicides thiophanate-methyl and chlorothalonil) pesticides on the flower visitation rates of naturally occurring pollinator bees. Our results revealed that both honey bees (i.e., Apis mellifera L.) and non-Apis bees visited melon flowers and the intensity of bee visitation was moderately correlated with yield parameters (e.g., number of marketable fruits and fruit yield). Pesticide treatments differentially affected bee species. For instance, Plebeia sp. bees were not affected by any pesticide treatment, whereas both A. mellifera and Halictus sp. bees showed reduced visitation intensity after the application of deltamethrin or neem-based insecticides. Fungicide treatment alone did not influence the bee's visitation intensity. Deltamethrin-treated melon fields produced significantly lighter marketable fruits, and the melon yield was significantly lower in melon fields treated with the neem-based insecticide. Thus, our findings with such pollinator bees reinforce the idea that field applications of botanical pesticides may represent as risky as the applications of synthetic compounds, indicating that these alternative products should be submitted to risk assessments comparable to those required for synthetic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Henrique Tschoeke
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77410-530, Brazil
| | - Eugênio E Oliveira
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-000, Brazil.
| | - Mateus S Dalcin
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77410-530, Brazil
| | | | - Renato A Sarmento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77410-530, Brazil
| | - Gil Rodrigues Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, 77410-530, Brazil
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9
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Willcox BK, Robson AJ, Howlett BG, Rader R. Toward an integrated approach to crop production and pollination ecology through the application of remote sensing. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5806. [PMID: 30364410 PMCID: PMC6197041 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect pollinators provide an essential ecosystem service by transferring pollen to crops and native vegetation. The extent to which pollinator communities vary both spatially and temporally has important implications for ecology, conservation and agricultural production. However, understanding the complex interactions that determine pollination service provisioning and production measures over space and time has remained a major challenge. Remote sensing technologies (RST), including satellite, airborne and ground based sensors, are effective tools for measuring the spatial and temporal variability of vegetation health, diversity and productivity within natural and modified systems. Yet while there are synergies between remote sensing science, pollination ecology and agricultural production, research communities have only recently begun to actively connect these research areas. Here, we review the utility of RST in advancing crop pollination research and highlight knowledge gaps and future research priorities. We found that RST are currently used across many different research fields to assess changes in plant health and production (agricultural production) and to monitor and evaluate changes in biodiversity across multiple landscape types (ecology and conservation). In crop pollination research, the use of RST are limited and largely restricted to quantifying remnant habitat use by pollinators by ascertaining the proportion of, and/or isolation from, a given land use type or local variable. Synchronization between research fields is essential to better understand the spatial and temporal variability in pollinator dependent crop production. RST enable these applications to be scaled across much larger areas than is possible with field-based methods and will facilitate large scale ecological changes to be detected and monitored. We advocate greater use of RST to better understand interactions between pollination, plant health and yield spatial variation in pollinator dependent crops. This more holistic approach is necessary for decision-makers to improve strategies toward managing multiple land use types and ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryony K Willcox
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew J Robson
- Precision Agriculture Research Group, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Brad G Howlett
- The New Zealand Insitute for Plant and Food Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Romina Rader
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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Garibaldi LA, Andersson GK, Requier F, Fijen TP, Hipólito J, Kleijn D, Pérez-Méndez N, Rollin O. Complementarity and synergisms among ecosystem services supporting crop yield. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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11
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Tamburini G, Lami F, Marini L. Pollination benefits are maximized at intermediate nutrient levels. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.0729. [PMID: 28794217 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Yield production in flowering crops depends on both nutrient availability and pollination, but their relative roles and potential interactions are poorly understood. We measured pollination benefits to yield in sunflower, combining a gradient in insect pollination (0, 25, 50, 100%) with a continuous gradient in nitrogen (N) fertilization (from 0 to 150 kg N ha-1) in an experiment under realistic soil field conditions. We found that pollination benefits to yield were maximized at intermediate levels of N availability, bolstering yield by approximately 25% compared with complete pollinator exclusion. Interestingly, we found little decrease in yield when insect visits were reduced by 50%, indicating that the incremental contribution of pollination by insects to yield is greater when the baseline pollination service provision is very low. Our findings provide strong evidence for interactive, nonlinear effects of pollination and resource availability on seed production. Our results support ecological intensification as a promising strategy for sustainable management of agroecosystems. In particular, we found optimal level of pollination to potentially compensate for lower N applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tamburini
- DAFNAE-Entomology, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy .,Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Francesco Lami
- DAFNAE-Entomology, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Marini
- DAFNAE-Entomology, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
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Knapp JL, Osborne JL. Courgette Production: Pollination Demand, Supply, and Value. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 110:1973-1979. [PMID: 28981657 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tox184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Courgette (Cucurbita pepo L.) production in the United Kingdom is estimated to be worth £6.7 million. However, little is known about this crop's requirement for insect-mediated pollination (pollinator dependence) and if pollinator populations in a landscape are able to fulfil its pollination needs (pollination deficit). Consequently, pollination experiments were conducted over 2 yr to explore pollinator dependence and pollination deficit in field-grown courgette in the United Kingdom. Results showed that pollination increased yield by 39% and there was no evidence of pollination limitation on crop yield. This was evidenced by a surprisingly low pollination deficit (of just 3%) and no statistical difference in yield (length grown, circumference, and weight) between open- and hand-pollinated crops. Nonetheless, the high economic value of courgettes means that reducing even the small pollination deficit could still increase profit by ∼£166/ha. Interestingly, 56% of fruit was able to reach marketable size and shape without any pollination. Understanding a crop's requirement for pollinators can aid growers in their decision-making about what varieties and sites should be used. In doing so, they may increase their agricultural resilience and further their economic advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Knapp
- Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10?9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Juliet L Osborne
- Penryn Campus, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10?9FE, United Kingdom
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Willcox BK, Aizen MA, Cunningham SA, Mayfield MM, Rader R. Deconstructing pollinator community effectiveness. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 21:98-104. [PMID: 28822496 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Effective pollination is a complex, context-dependent phenomenon determined by both species-level and community-level factors. While pollinator communities are constituted by interacting organisms in a shared environment, these factors are often simplified or overlooked when quantifying species-level pollinator effectiveness alone. Here, we review the recent literature on pollinator effectiveness to identify the pros and cons of existing methods and outline three important areas for future research: plant-pollinator interactions, heterospecific pollen transfer and variation in pollination outcomes. We conclude that pollinator community effectiveness needs to be acknowledged as a key property of pollination effectiveness in order to fully account for the suite of plant, pollinator and environmental factors known to influence different stages of successful pollination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryony K Willcox
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, 2350, NSW, Australia
| | - Marcelo A Aizen
- Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA-CONICET and Centro Regional Bariloche, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, 8400 San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Saul A Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Margaret M Mayfield
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Romina Rader
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, 2350, NSW, Australia.
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Quinn NF, Brainard DC, Szendrei Z. Floral Strips Attract Beneficial Insects but Do Not Enhance Yield in Cucumber Fields. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 110:517-524. [PMID: 28334107 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tow306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural enemies and pollinators require nutritional and habitat resources that are often not found in conventional agricultural fields. The addition of flowering plants within agroecosystems may provide the resources necessary to support beneficial insects at the local scale. We hypothesized that insect pollinator and natural enemy abundance would increase in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plots containing flower strips and that the effect would be greatest in the crop rows closest to the flower strips. Three flower treatments were tested: 1) buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), 2) yellow mustard (Brassica hirta), 3) sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), and cucumbers as a control. Flowers were planted within a commercial cucumber field in 20-m-long strips in a randomized complete block design with six replications in the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. Some floral treatments successfully attracted more beneficial insects than others, but the beneficials did not disperse out to the cucumber plants. Cucumber yield was unaffected by flowers with one exception: in 2015, cucumber yield in the sweet alyssum plots were greater than those in plots with no flowers. Our research indicates that adding flowers to cucumber fields to increase services from beneficial insects needs to be further investigated to better understand the effect of factors such as relative flowering strip size.
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Affiliation(s)
- N F Quinn
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI ( ; )
- Current address: Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - D C Brainard
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Z Szendrei
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (; )
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van Gils S, van der Putten WH, Kleijn D. Can above-ground ecosystem services compensate for reduced fertilizer input and soil organic matter in annual crops? J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stijn van Gils
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology; Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW); P.O. Box 50 6700 AB Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Wim H. van der Putten
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology; Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW); P.O. Box 50 6700 AB Wageningen The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Nematology; Wageningen University and Research Centre; P.O. Box 8123 6700 ES Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - David Kleijn
- Animal Ecology Team; Alterra - Wageningen University and Research Centre; P.O. Box 47 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
- Resource Ecology Group; Wageningen University and Research Centre; P.O. Box 47 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group; Wageningen University and Research Centre; P.O. Box 47 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
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Bartomeus I, Gagic V, Bommarco R. Pollinators, pests and soil properties interactively shape oilseed rape yield. Basic Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Giannini TC, Cordeiro GD, Freitas BM, Saraiva AM, Imperatriz-Fonseca VL. The Dependence of Crops for Pollinators and the Economic Value of Pollination in Brazil. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 108:849-57. [PMID: 26470203 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Food production is challenged by changes in climate and land use and expanding human population growth. Proper pollination can increase the production and quality of fruit, nut, oil, and fiber crops. We reviewed crop dependence on pollinators and estimated the economic value of pollination per year for each crop in Brazil. We analyzed 141 crops and found that 85 depend on pollinators. Almost one-third of these crops have an essential or great dependence on pollinators. The economic contribution of pollinators totals ∼30% (∼US$12 billion) of the total annual agricultural income of the dependent crops (totalizing almost US$45 billion). However, half of these figures includes soybean crop (US$5.7 billion of pollinators' contribution and US$22 billion of annual income). Soybean was considered as having a modest dependence on pollinators, but this remains controversial because pollinator dependence might vary among different varieties cultivated in Brazil. Moreover, we have no information about pollinator dependence regarding some important crops, showing the urgent need for basic research into reproductive biology and pollination ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Giannini
- Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo. Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, Trav. 3, n. 380, 05508-010 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo. Rua do Matão, Trav. 14, n. 321, 05508-900 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Vale Technological Institute - Sustainable Development. Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, 66055-090 Belém, Pará, Brazil.
| | - G D Cordeiro
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras da Universidade de São Paulo. Av. Bandeirantes, n. 3900, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - B M Freitas
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Zootecnia, Bloco 808, Campus Universitário do Pici, 60356-000 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - A M Saraiva
- Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo. Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, Trav. 3, n. 380, 05508-010 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - V L Imperatriz-Fonseca
- Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo. Rua do Matão, Trav. 14, n. 321, 05508-900 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Vale Technological Institute - Sustainable Development. Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955, 66055-090 Belém, Pará, Brazil
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