NEIGHBORHOOD
GARDEN
FOR
JANUARY 16, 2010
Fruit and Vegetable Crop
Pollination
BY
MARION
ELLIS
Extension
Apiculturist (BEEKEEPER),
University
of Nebraska-LINCOLN
Cross pollination, or the transfer of pollen from flower to flower, is
an essential step in the production of many fruit and vegetable crops.
Insect-pollinated crops produce small amounts of sticky pollen and rely on
pollinating insects to transfer pollen from flower to flower. Inadequate
pollination can result in deformed fruit or no fruit to harvest.
Honey bees
are the most important fruit and vegetable crop pollinators. However,
populations of honey bees have diminished during the past decade due to
the Varroa mite, a recently introduced parasite which has become a major
pest in the region. The Varroa mite has caused extensive losses in managed
colonies, and it has increased the labor and expenses required to maintain
colonies. Of perhaps greater significance, the mite has killed most of the
wild (feral) colonies which formerly existed in tree holes, hollow walls
of buildings, and other protected cavities. This means that fewer honey
bees are available in towns, cities and the surrounding countryside where
homeowners have previously benefited from their pollinating activity.
Fruit and
vegetable growers can encourage native pollinators to help cover the
current “pollination gap.” Providing backyard habitat for native
pollinators such as bumblebees, leafcutter bees, and mason bees may become
a necessary part of both urban and country gardening and fruit production.
Alternately, honey bees can be kept to provide both pollination and a crop
of honey. While Varroa mites have decimated wild populations of honey
bees, skillful beekeepers can protect and care for honey bee colonies
without suffering losses.
Commercial
growers should act quickly to ensure fruit set if pollinator activity is
inadequate. Studies show that six bee visits per blossom are
required to obtain a uniform set of well-formed fruit for most apple
varieties.
Fruit and
vegetable growers who have enjoyed the benefit of wild honey bee
pollinators may find it necessary to manage pollinators to obtain good
fruit yields in the future. Bee pollination is as essential as
fertilizing, watering, pest control and other management practices. The
following are things that growers can do to encourage pollinators:
1. Plant forage plants such as sweet clover, Dutch clover, purple
vetch, sunflowers, pussy willow, alfalfa or goldenrod to attract and
sustain pollinators, and let them bloom so the bees can feed on the
flowers.
2. Plant shrub roses, raspberries and other brambles with
hollow or pithy stems to provide nesting sites for solitary leafcutter and
mason bees.
3. Make an artificial leafcutter or mason bee habitat.
Untreated 4" x 6" lumber works great. A 1/4” or 5/16"
diameter hole can be drilled in smooth wood on 3/4 inch centers, 2.5 to
8" deep depending upon the size lumber used. A hole smaller than
1/4” or larger than 5/16” will attract undesirable bees and insects. A
5/16" diameter hole is important for attracting Mason Orchard Bees.
Do not drill completely through the lumber. Attach a roof to provide
protection from the
midday
sun and rain. Outside surfaces may be painted or stained, but do not use
wood preservatives.
Alternately,
soda straws of similar diameter can be trimmed to the same dimensions and
placed in half-gallon milk cartons. Larger holes will not be
acceptable nests, and smaller holes will result in a high proportion of
male bees which do not pollinate. Drilled boards or straws should be
placed in a shelter 3 to 4 feet above the ground which faces Southeast. Do
not hang in a tree or on a post. The bees will find the blossoms - that is
their life's work.
This is a very
good project for kids!!!!
4. Small compost piles can be left around the yard or garden
to encourage bumble bee nesting. Compost piles left for bumble bee habitat
should not be turned during the period in which bumble bees are active.
5. Keeping honey bees can be a fascinating and rewarding hobby
or side-line. While other pollinators may be important in the pollination
of small orchards, honey bees are still the most easily managed pollinator
for growers requiring large numbers of pollinators.
If you want to know more about pollinators and pollinator
management attend one of the “Beginning Beekeeping” Workshops. These
will be offered on
February 27, 2010
at the Adams County Extension Office in
Hastings
,
Nebraska
, and
March 13, 2010
at the Kimmel Education and
Research
Center
in
Nebraska
City
. Cost to attend a workshop is $20.00 per person and $6.00 for each
additional family member. Registration includes lunch, refreshments, and a
workbook for new beekeepers. Preregistration is required.
A 3-day
Master
Beekeeping
Workshop
will be offered in
Ithaca
,
Nebraska
at the Agricultural Research and
Development
Center
Headquarters
Building
on
June 10-12, 2010
. Registration for this workshop is $100.00 and includes 5 meals, a
workbook, a cap, and refreshments.
If you have
questions or want more information about any of these workshops contact
your local County Extension Educator or
Marion
Ellis
, Extension Apiculturist,
University
of
Nebraska-Lincoln
at
402-472-8696
or mellis3@unl.edu.
(Apiculture is a
specialty within the Entomology Department dealing with bees.)
“Keeping bees
will raise your understanding of the natural world and the
interrelatedness of all living things.
In learning about the importance of honey bee pollination, you will
realize how living things depend on other living things and that, while a
few insects are pests, many are essential to our survival. Keeping honey
bees with a young person is a fabulous way to teach them to be patient,
gentle, and good stewards of the natural world.”
Marion
Ellis
Copyright 2010
For more information
on building a bee habitat go to:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=10743
((Build a Nest Board, Agriculture Research Service, USDA)
http://king.wsu.edu/foodandfarms/documents/MasonBee.pdf
(Orchard Mason Bees, Washington State University Extension Service in
King
County
)
http://gage.unl.edu/artificialhabitatfortubenestingbees
(How To Build Artificial Habitat For Tube Nesting Bees, UNL Extension in
Gage County
,
NE
)
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