scholarly journals Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) produce larger and heavier blueberries than honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Cairns Fortuin ◽  
Kamal JK Gandhi
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Field Cage ◽  
Vaccinium Ashei ◽  
Osmia Lignaria ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Berry Size

AbstractFruit set, berry size, and berry weight were assessed for pollination by the solitary bee Osmia lignaria (Say) in caged rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade, Ericales : Ericaceae), and compared to that of uncaged rabbiteye blueberries which were pollinated largely by honey bees (Apis mellifera L). O. linaria produced berries that were 1.6mm larger in diameter and 0.45g heavier than uncaged blueberries. Fruit set was 40% higher in uncaged blueberries. This suggests that Osmia bees can produce larger and heavier berry fruit, but O. lignaria may be less efficient at blueberry pollination as compared to A. mellifera under field cage conditions.

scholarly journals Increasing Honey Bee Hive Densities Promotes Pollination and Yield Components of Highbush Blueberry in Western Washington

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-194
Author(s):  
Matthew Arrington ◽  
Lisa Wasko DeVetter
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Yield Components ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Berry Size ◽  
Western Washington

Yield components including fruit set and berry size in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) can be limited in key production regions like western Washington. Climactic conditions influence the activity levels of blueberry’s primary commercial pollinator, honey bee (Apis mellifera). Cool springs with frequent rainfall, which are common during the spring bloom period in western Washington, can reduce honey bee activity, pollination efficiency, and subsequent fruit set and yields. Increasing honey bee hive density may be a simple technique that growers can employ to increase the number of honey bees foraging during periods of good weather, interspersed with the poor weather, and therefore, increase fruit set and related yield components. The objective of this study was to evaluate if increased honey bee hive densities improve pollination and subsequent yield components in western Washington blueberry. Three field sites with mature ‘Duke’ plants were stocked with 10 hives/ha of honey bees (control), and three other field sites (also ‘Duke’) were stocked with 20 hives/ha (high hive density). Honey bee visitation and yield components, including fruit set and berry weight, were measured. Estimated yield, seed number/berry, and fruit firmness were also monitored. There were no significant differences in fruit set regardless of honey bee hive density. However, honey bee visitation and estimated yield increased with increased honey bee hive density. Berry weight and seed number per berry were also increased with increased honey bee hive density, although firmness was unaffected. Results indicate that increasing honey bee hive densities can help blueberry growers improve berry size and overall yields, suggesting this is a practice growers can implement if their production is constrained by insufficient pollination.

scholarly journals Interspecific and Intraspecific Pollination Effects in Rabbiteye and Southern Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Creighton L. Gupton ◽  
James M. Spiers
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Development ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Blue Ridge ◽  
Vaccinium Ashei ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Cape Fear ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Number Of Seeds ◽  
Partial Diallel

To determine the effects of pollen source on blueberry production, we made a partial diallel set of crosses involving seven rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei Reade) and seven southern highbush (SH; V. corymbosum L.) parents. Pollination of rabbiteye blueberry flowers with SH pollen reduced fruit set, seeds per berry, and berry weight and increased fruit development period (FDP) compared to pollination with rabbiteye pollen. Pollination of SH flowers with rabbiteye pollen resulted in about the same fruit set and FDP but fewer seeds per berry and slightly lower berry weight compared to intraspecific pollination. Self-pollination significantly decreased the number of seeds per berry and berry weight and increased FDP in SH. Pollination of rabbiteye and SH flowers with mixed pollen produced the same results as intraspecific pollination. Using `Tifblue' and `Baldwin' (rabbiteye) as the pollen parent significantly increased FDP in rabbiteye blueberry. Using `Georgiagem' and `Cape Fear' as pollen parents produced the longest FDP, and using `O'Neal' and `Gulfcoast' produced the shortest FDP in SH blueberry. The heaviest berries were produced by using `Blue Ridge', `O'Neal', and `Gulfcoast' (SH) as pollen parents on SH females. These results suggest that xenia possibly could be used to increase yield and reduce FDP in blueberry.

scholarly journals The Effective Pollination Period in Rabbiteye Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 825A-825
Author(s):  
Patricio A. Brevis* ◽  
D. Scott NeSmith
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Fruit Crops ◽  
Vaccinium Ashei ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Flower Age ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Days After Anthesis ◽  
Number Of Seeds ◽  
Commercial Field

Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade) often exhibit poor fruit set under commercial field conditions. Problems of low fruit set have been attributed to short periods of flower receptivity in different fruit crops. This study seeks to establish the effective pollination period (EPP, defined as the number of days during which pollination is effective to produce a fruit) in rabbiteye blueberry. The cultivars Brightwell and Tifblue were chosen due to their known difference in fruit set and field performance. Flowers were hand pollinated 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after anthesis (DAA) using self- and cross-pollen. Fruit set, seeds per berry, berry weight and days to ripening were recorded. Fruit set showed a polynomial trend across flower ages. `Brightwell' was highly receptive from the day of anthesis, whereas, `Tifblue' receptivity was low until 2 DAA. `Brightwell' and `Tifblue' flowers produced adequate fruit set (≥50%) over a period of 7 and 5 days, respectively. In `Tifblue', fruit set was limited by the low receptivity of newly opened flowers. The difference in EPP helps to explain the performance of these cultivars in the field. The rate of ripening increased with flower age in both cultivars. The number of seeds per berry was affected by flower age only in `Tifblue'. The effect of flower age on berry weight depended on the cultivar and the pollen source.

scholarly journals Response of Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) to the Growth Regulators CPPU and Gibberellic Acid

HortScience ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Scott NeSmith
Keyword(s):  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
Growth Regulator ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Single Application ◽  
Treatment Results ◽  
Vaccinium Ashei ◽  
Berry Size ◽  
Mature Field

Experiments were conducted during 1999 and 2000 at Griffin, Ga., with rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade) to determine how the growth regulator CPPU affected fruit set, berry size, and yield. CPPU (applied at two different timings) was used alone, and in conjunction with GA3 on mature, field-grown `Tifblue' plants. A control treatment without either growth regulator was also included. The CPPU concentration used was 10 mg·L-1 (a single application per treatment), and the GA3 concentration used was 200 mg·L-1 (two applications per treatment). Results from both years showed a positive benefit of CPPU with respect to fruit set and berry size, especially in the absence of GA3. Depending on timing, berry number per plant was increased by more than 200% in 1999 using CPPU. Berry size increases of more than 30% occurred in 2000 when CPPU alone was applied at 17 d after flowering (DAF). CPPU did not increase berry size of GA3-treated plants in either year. Total yield per plant during 2000 was 5.0, 7.1, and 8.3 kg for control, CPPU applied 7 DAF, and CPPU applied 17 DAF treatments, respectively, without GA3. While CPPU did substantially increase fruit set, berry size, and yield of `Tifblue', there was a notable delay in fruit ripening. These results suggest that CPPU may be useful for increasing yield of rabbiteye blueberries under conditions of inadequate fruit set (such as occurs in much of the Southeast), but a delay in ripening will likely result. Chemical names used: N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU); gibberellic acid (GA3).

SOME CLUSTER THINNING AND GIBBERELLIC ACID EFFECTS ON FRUIT SET, BERRY SIZE, VINE GROWTH AND YIELD OF DE CHAUNAC GRAPES

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 653-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. E. LOONEY ◽  
D. F. WOOD
Keyword(s):  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Vine Growth ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Berry Size ◽  
Cluster Thinning ◽  
Berry Set

De Chaunac grapes were thinned to one- and two-flower clusters per fruitful shoot, cluster-pruned by removing part of the flower cluster of two clusters per shoot and/or sprayed with 50 ppm gibberellic acid (GA3) 10 days after bloom. A low to moderate vigor vineyard was treated in 1974 and a high vigor vineyard treated in 1975. GA3 enhanced berry weight in both trials, the greatest effect being on berries in more distal clusters. GA3 did not affect berry set. Thinning to one cluster reduced yield in both tests. Thinning to two clusters coupled with cluster pruning reduced yield in the high vigor block. Berry set was enhanced by thinning to one cluster in the vigorous block and by cluster pruning in both trials. Individual berry weight was increased by thinning in 1974 and by thinning plus GA3 in 1975. Thinning to one cluster coupled with GA3 treatment increased vine growth in both experiments.

scholarly journals Blueberry Floral Attributes and Their Effect on the Pollination Efficiency of an Oligolectic Bee, Osmia ribifloris Cockerell (Megachilidae: Apoidea)

HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blair J. Sampson ◽  
Stephen J. Stringer ◽  
Donna A. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Flower Size ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Pollination Efficiency ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Cross Pollination ◽  
Berry Size ◽  
Fruit Abortion

We evaluated relationships between floral traits of 23 genotypes of southern blueberries and indices of pollination efficiency (fruit set, fruit abortion, seed number, and berry size) for Osmia ribifloris Cockerell, a manageable solitary bee. Flower size in Vaccinium and presumably ovary size were proportional to berry size, except for the tiny blooms of one V. tenellum clone (NC7808), which produce large commercial-sized berries of ≈2 g. Longer-styled blueberry flowers visited by O. ribifloris produced the heaviest berries with the most seeds. Osmia ribifloris reliably pollinated ‘Climax’ and ‘Tifblue’ rabbiteye blueberries. However, the peculiarly misshapen blooms of ‘Premier’ rabbiteye blueberry receive less pollination from O. ribifloris and yield berries containing 25% fewer seeds. Fruit set for these misshapen ‘Premier’ flowers was equivalent to that of intact flowers indicating that this floral polymorphism would not greatly alter cultivar performance. For seven Vaccinium species, wild and cultivated alike, 80% to 100% of a plant’s fruit production depends on efficient cross-pollination by bees such as O. ribifloris.

scholarly journals Effects of Timing of CPPU Applications on Rabbiteye Blueberries

HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1446-1448 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Scott NeSmith
Keyword(s):  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Growth Regulator ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Vaccinium Ashei ◽  
Desirable Response ◽  
Greenhouse Experiments ◽  
Berry Size

A series of field and greenhouse experiments were conducted at two locations in Georgia to determine how rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade) respond to different timings of application of the growth regulator [N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU)]. In all tests, a CPPU rate of 15 mg·L−1 was used, and timings of applications were based on days after flowering (DAF). Overall, results indicate that a positive response in fruit set or berry size can occur with applications of CPPU depending on cultivar and timing of application. As with many growth regulators, the effect can vary, and these experiments indicate that the timing of CPPU application is critical in achieving the most desirable response. Collectively, data suggest an optimum window of application of CPPU to rabbiteye blueberries is between 7 and 21 DAF with the most probable success being from an application made around 14 ± 3 DAF.

Pollinating Efficacy of Osmia cornifrons and Osmia lignaria subsp. lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) on Three Brassicaceae Species Grown Under Field Cages

2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Abel ◽  
Richard L. Wilson ◽  
Richard L. Luhman
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Plant Introduction ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Osmia Lignaria ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
Brassicaceae Species ◽  
Native Bee ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
North Central Regional

Until 1997, honey bees, Apis mellifera L., were used to pollinate Brassicaceae grown in field cages at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS), at Ames, IA. At this time, a solitary bee, Osmia cornifrons (Radoszkowski), was first employed to pollinate the crop in field cages; however, a native bee species, Osmia lignaria subsp. lignaria Say, out-competes O. cornifrons in central Iowa for artificial nesting sites erected for rearing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of these two solitary bee species for producing Brassica napus, B. rapa, and Sinapis alba seed in field cages. There was no difference in seed production for the S. alba accession, PI 209022, or the B. rapa accession, PI 278766, between the two species of Osmia. But, the B. rapa accession, PI 392025, and the B. napus accession, PI 469944, produced significantly more seed when pollinated by O. lignaria subsp. lignaria than by O. cornifrons. Because the native bee is easier to rear and maintain, it will be the pollinator of choice for control pollinating collections of Brassicaceae species maintained at NCRPIS. The commercial use of O. lignaria subsp. lignaria or the related subspecies, O. lignaria subsp. propinqua, should be investigated for improving the production of canola and rapeseed.

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