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Lyu Z, Feng M, Nie L, Zhou T, Yu K, Li L, Men X, Sun M, Yu Y. Evaluation of the Pollination Efficiency of Apple Trees by Osmia excavata Alfken (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Neotrop Entomol 2024; 53:490-498. [PMID: 38478301 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-023-01122-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The mason bee Osmia excavata Alfken is an apple pollinating insect widely distributed in northern China, in order to effectively utilize the mason bee and improve the pollination rate of apples, there is a need to evaluate the pollination efficiency of the bees. This study evaluated the pollination efficiency of the mason bee on apple orchards in Jinan and Yantai, Shandong Province, China. The study compared natural pollination areas and pollination areas with different release densities of O. excavata in terms of the effects of bee density, timing of pollination, and distance effects on fruit set rate, fruit shape index, fruit shape skewness, fruit soluble solids content, and fruit firmness. The optimal release density of bees was 6000 cocoons per hectare, resulting in the highest fruit setting rate of apple lateral flowers. From 07:00 to 14:00 was the best time for bee pollination. The optimal distance of hives from apple trees for pollination by O. excavata was 60 m. Single fruit weight was significantly higher and fruit unsymmetrical rate, partial slope and hardness were all significantly lower at the release densities of 6000 or 12000 cocoons per hectare compared with 3000 cocoons per hectare or under natural pollination conditions. There was no significant difference in the content of soluble solids under different release densities. Thus, the radius of 60 m from the hive was the effective pollination range and 6000 cocoons per hectare of mason bees could ensure the fruit quality of apple.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyun Lyu
- Yantai Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Silkworm Functional Substances, Shandong Institute of Sericulture, Yantai, Shandong, China
- Yantai Engineering Research Center for Plant Stem Cell Targeted Breeding, Shandong Institute of Sericulture, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Min Feng
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Nie
- Yantai Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Silkworm Functional Substances, Shandong Institute of Sericulture, Yantai, Shandong, China
- Yantai Engineering Research Center for Plant Stem Cell Targeted Breeding, Shandong Institute of Sericulture, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Kai Yu
- Yantai Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Yantai, Shangdong, China
| | - Lili Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xingyuan Men
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meng Sun
- Yantai Key Laboratory for Evaluation and Utilization of Silkworm Functional Substances, Shandong Institute of Sericulture, Yantai, Shandong, China.
- Yantai Engineering Research Center for Plant Stem Cell Targeted Breeding, Shandong Institute of Sericulture, Yantai, Shandong, China.
| | - Yi Yu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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Broussard MA, Howlett BG, Evans LJ, McBrydie H, Cutting BT, Read SF, Pattemore DE. Pollinator identity and behavior affect pollination in kiwifruit ( Actinidia chinensis Planch.). PeerJ 2022; 10:e12963. [PMID: 35702253 PMCID: PMC9188772 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Many crop plants rely on insect pollination, particularly insect-pollinated crops which are functionally dioecious. These crops require insects to move pollen between separate plants which are functionally male or female. While honey bees are typically considered the most important crop pollinator species, many other insects are known to visit crops but the pollination contribution of the full diversity of these flower visitors is poorly understood. In this study, we examine the role of diverse insect pollinators for two kiwifruit cultivars as model systems for dioecious crops: Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa 'Hayward' (a green-fleshed variety) and A. chinensis var. chinensis 'Zesy002' (a gold-fleshed variety). In our round-the-clock insect surveys, we identified that psychodid flies and mosquitoes were the second and third most frequent floral visitors after honey bees (Apis mellifera L), but further work is required to investigate their pollination efficiency. Measures of single-visit pollen deposition identified that several insects, including the bees Leioproctus spp. and Bombus spp. and the flies Helophilus hochstetteri and Eristalis tenax, deposited a similar amount of pollen on flowers as honey bees (Apis mellifera). Due to their long foraging period and high pollen deposition, we recommend the development of strategies to boost populations of Bombus spp., Eristalis tenax and other hover flies, and unmanaged bees for use as synergistic pollinators alongside honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Broussard
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Brad G. Howlett
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Lisa J. Evans
- Plant and Food Research Australia Ltd, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Heather McBrydie
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | - Samantha F.J. Read
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - David E. Pattemore
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand,University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Wang X, Hu D, Chen Y, Xiang M, Tang H, Yi Y, Tang X. Ancillary polymorphic floral traits between two morphs adaptive to hawkmoth pollination in distylous plant Tirpitzia sinensis (Linaceae). BMC Plant Biol 2022; 22:273. [PMID: 35655126 PMCID: PMC9164504 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03659-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Floral morphs are characterized differentiations in reciprocal positions of sexual organs and ancillary floral traits in heterostylous plants. However, it remains unclear how differential floral morphs ensure reproductive success between morphs using the same pollinator. RESULTS Measurements of floral traits in white-flowered Tirpitzia sinensis with long corolla tubes indicated that it is typically distylous, long-styled (L-) morph producing more but smaller pollen grains per flower than short-styled (S-) morph. Both morphs secreted more nectar volume at night than in the day and the sugar composition was rich in sucrose, potentially adaptive to pollination by hawkmoths (Macroglossum spp.) which were active at dusk. A bumblebee species functioned as the nectar robber in both morphs and a honeybee as the pollen feeder in the S-morph. The L-morph secreted more nectar volume but relatively lower sucrose/hexose ratio than the S-morph. Floral visitation rate by hawkmoths was higher but its pollination efficiency was lower in the S-morph than the L-morph. Hand pollination treatments indicated self-incompatibility in T. sinensis and seed set of open-pollinated flowers did not differ between morphs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the two morphs differ with respect to traits relevant to pollination. The L-morph, with its exserted stigma, has more pollen grains per anther and a greater volume of nectar, which may prolong the foraging time and increase the pollination efficiency of hawkmoths. The S-morph has a higher sucrose/hexose ratio in its nectar which can be more attractive to hawkmoths and increase the visit rates. Ancillary polymorphic floral traits between two morphs are adaptive to hawkmoth and ensure reproductive success in distylous plant T. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Wang
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration On Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Demei Hu
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration On Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration On Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Mengda Xiang
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration On Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Hanqing Tang
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration On Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yin Yi
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration On Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xiaoxin Tang
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration On Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
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Abstract
Flowers of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) are hermaphrodite and self-incompatible; their cross-pollination depends entirely on insect visitors, mainly bees (Apoidea). Because self-pollination of white clover occurs before flower anthesis, we determined whether selfing affected the pollination efficiency of a honeybee visit. We compared pollen deposition in emasculated and intact flowers following (1) a single honeybee visit, (2) open-pollination for a day and (3) enclosure in a cloth bag to prevent insect visits. In emasculated flowers, open-pollination resulted in more pollen deposited than after one visit (+30%) which is consistent with flowers being visited more than once by pollinators during the course of a day. On intact flowers, saturation of the stigma was achieved after the first visit of a honeybee (near 280 grains) because of self-pollination. Additional visits did not increase pollen deposits, but they improved pollen efficiency in terms of numbers of pollen tubes reaching the ovules. In such a context of easily saturated stigmas, self-pollen does not inhibit cross-pollen activity, but represents a constraint for pollination which demands multiple bee visits to each flower to achieve maximum fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Rodet
- I.N.R.A., Equipe de recherche sur la pollinisation entomophile, Station de zoologie et d'apidologie, Domaine Saint-Paul, Site Agroparc, F-84914 Avignon cedex 9, France Fax: (33) 490 31 62 70; e-mail: , , , , , , FR
| | - Bernard E Vaissière
- I.N.R.A., Equipe de recherche sur la pollinisation entomophile, Station de zoologie et d'apidologie, Domaine Saint-Paul, Site Agroparc, F-84914 Avignon cedex 9, France Fax: (33) 490 31 62 70; e-mail: , , , , , , FR
| | - Thierry Brévault
- I.N.R.A., Equipe de recherche sur la pollinisation entomophile, Station de zoologie et d'apidologie, Domaine Saint-Paul, Site Agroparc, F-84914 Avignon cedex 9, France Fax: (33) 490 31 62 70; e-mail: , , , , , , FR
| | - Jean-Paul Torre Grossa
- I.N.R.A., Equipe de recherche sur la pollinisation entomophile, Station de zoologie et d'apidologie, Domaine Saint-Paul, Site Agroparc, F-84914 Avignon cedex 9, France Fax: (33) 490 31 62 70; e-mail: , , , , , , FR
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