Science updates: Solitary Bees and almond pollination

 

Science updates:

Solitary Bees and almond pollination

 

The study "Use of a Managed Solitary Bee to Pollinate Almonds: Population Sustainability and Increased Fruit Set" investigates the sustainability and impact of using Osmia cornuta, a managed solitary bee, for pollinating almond orchards. The research demonstrates that Osmia populations can be sustained in orchard environments and have a significant impact on fruit set, even with honeybees being 10 times more abundant than Osmia. The study also identifies important factors limiting the growth of Osmia populations released in orchards, such as winter mortality, low female establishment, low fecundity, progeny mortality, and male-biased progeny sex ratios. The findings suggest that even a small population of a highly effective pollinator can significantly impact crop pollination service and fruit set. The study provides encouraging results for the use of Osmia managed populations and emphasizes the importance of promoting wild pollinators in agricultural environments.

 

The research reveals that Osmia cornuta populations can be sustained in orchard environments and have a substantial impact on fruit production, despite honeybees being more abundant. The study also highlights the importance of understanding the dynamics of populations introduced in orchards to ensure the sustainability of managed pollinators. The findings indicate that factors such as winter mortality, low female establishment, low fecundity, progeny mortality, and male-biased progeny sex ratios can limit the growth of Osmia populations released in orchards.

 

These insights underscore the significance of addressing these bottlenecks to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of Osmia populations as managed pollinators. Additionally, the study emphasizes the potential economic returns of implementing measures to promote wild pollinators in agricultural environments, suggesting that diverse pollinator communities can enhance pollination service and fruit yields.

 

 

In conclusion, the study highlights the positive impact of Osmia cornuta populations on fruit set in almond orchards and underscores the importance of addressing factors that limit the growth of managed pollinator populations. The findings provide valuable insights into the sustainability and effectiveness of using Osmia populations for orchard pollination and emphasize the potential economic benefits of promoting wild pollinators in agricultural environments. Overall, the research contributes to the understanding of pollination dynamics and the significance of diverse pollinator communities in enhancing crop pollination service and fruit yields.

 

 

Reference:

Bosch, J., Osorio-Canadas, S., Sgolastra, F., & Vicens, N. (2021). Use of a managed solitary bee to pollinate almonds: Population sustainability and increased fruit set. Insects, 12(1), 56.

 

 

                                    ******////////////**********