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.

Effect of blossom thinning on fruit density, fruit size and seed count of Williams' Bon Chretien and Packham's Triumph pears

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (49) ◽  
pp. 248 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Selimi
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Cross Pollination ◽  
Hand Pollination ◽  
Bud Removal

Effects on fruit density, fruit size, and fruit fertilization (seed count) of several degrees of fruit bud removal three to four weeks before bloom, was studied on Williams Bon Chretien and Packham's Triumph pears. The effects were studied in the presence or absence of cross pollination. Fruit set increased with increasing severity of blossom bud removal, indicating that poor setting was not due to faulty flowers. This was also confirmed by hand pollination of the clusters on unthinned limbs, where fruit set was much higher than on unthinned unpollinated limbs. Fruit density in Packham's was not reduced even by 80 per cent of fruit bud removal, and in Williams' fruit density was significantly reduced at 60 or 40 per cent of fruit bud removal, in a heavy or intermediate flowering years, respectively, whereas in a poor flowering year, fruit density was not significantly reduced even by 80 per cent of bud removal. Heavy thinning resulted in increased fruit size in Williams' but not in Packham's pears. Hand poIlination or bouquets increased seed number and fruit size greatly in \Villiams7 and increased seed number but not fruit size in Packham's.

The importance of fruit set, fruit abortion, and pollination success in fruit production of teak (Tectona grandis)

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2204-2214 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Palupi ◽  
J. N. Owens ◽  
S. Sadjad ◽  
Sudarsono ◽  
D. D. Solihin
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Tectona Grandis ◽  
Seed Orchard ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Pollination Success ◽  
Fruit Abortion

Teak ( Tectona grandis L.) is believed to have been introduced from India 400–500 years ago and there appear to be no old-growth natural forests. However, Indonesia has many teak plantation forests and 40%–50% of seeds for reforestation come from seed orchards and the remainder from plantations. In both, flower and fruit abortion results in low fruit set and thus seed production. We investigated flower and fruit development in a clonal seed orchard in East Java in 1999 and 2001 using cross- and open-pollinated trees. The rates of abortion using cross-pollinations showed a similar pattern but were lower than for open-pollinations. The highest rate of abortion in cross- and open-pollinations was during pollination and fertilization, ranging 11%–23% and 31%–32%/day, respectively, less during fruit initiation (5%–6% and 6%–8%/day) and the lowest was during fruit maturation (<0.5%/day). Cross-pollinations increased fruit production by 10-fold compared with open-pollinations. About 30% of flowers were pollinated with an average of five pollen grains per stigma in open-pollinations. Pollen viability varied among clones and time of day but was not affected by position of flowers in an inflorescence. We conclude that low pollination success and low pollen viability are major causes for low fruit production in teak and are related to insect pollinators.

FLOWERING AND POLLINATION REQUIREMENTS IN CEREUS PERUVIANUS CULTIVATED IN ISRAEL

1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Weiss ◽  
A. Nerd ◽  
Y. Mizrahi
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Beer Sheva ◽  
Carpenter Bee ◽  
Cross Pollination ◽  
Hot Season ◽  
Very High ◽  
Xylocopa Pubescens

The flowering and pollination requirements of Cereus peruvianus (L) Mill. (Cactaceae) were investigated in Beer Sheva, Israel, in a three-year-old plantation which had been established from seedlings, in order to domesticate this plant as a fruit crop. Plants flowered during the hot season (May-October), and flowers opened for one night only. Variations were observed in the flowers' opening time, with the early-opening plants beginning to open two hours before sunset, and the late-opening plants opening close to sunset. Flowers were visited only by day-active insects: the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the carpenter bee (Xylocopa pubescens). The visitors' behavior indicated that they were involved in pollination. Early-opening flowers were visited both in the evening and in the morning, whereas late-openers were visited only in the morning. C. peruvianus was found to be self-incompatible, and fruit set did not occur when flowers were hand self-pollinated. Hand cross-pollination resulted in very high fruit set (92%) and heavy fruits with a high seed number. Fruit set, seed number, and fruit weight were lower in open-pollination than in hand cross-pollination. This indicates limited pollination or fertilization in open- pollination and might be related to the briefness of the bee visits, reduced pollen germinability, and stigma receptivity during part of the visit period.

scholarly journals Use of a Managed Solitary Bee to Pollinate Almonds: Population Sustainability and Increased Fruit Set

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Jordi Bosch ◽  
Sergio Osorio-Canadas ◽  
Fabio Sgolastra ◽  
Narcís Vicens
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Visitation Rates ◽  
Population Sustainability ◽  
Effective Pollinator ◽  
Set Distance ◽  
Almond Orchard

Osmia spp. are excellent orchard pollinators but evidence that their populations can be sustained in orchard environments and their use results in increased fruit production is scarce. We released an Osmia cornuta population in an almond orchard and measured its population dynamics, as well as visitation rates and fruit set at increasing distances from the nesting stations. Honeybees were 10 times more abundant than O. cornuta. However, the best models relating fruit set and bee visitation included only O. cornuta visitation, which explained 41% and 40% of the initial and final fruit set. Distance from the nesting stations explained 27.7% and 22.1% of the variability in initial and final fruit set. Of the 198 females released, 99 (54.4%) established and produced an average of 9.15 cells. Female population growth was 1.28. By comparing our results with those of previous O. cornuta studies we identify two important populational bottlenecks (female establishment and male-biased progeny sex ratios). Our study demonstrates that even a small population of a highly effective pollinator may have a significant impact on fruit set. Our results are encouraging for the use of Osmia managed populations and for the implementation of measures to promote wild pollinators in agricultural environments.

scholarly journals Pollination Requirements of Three Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Cultivars

1997 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 891-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenna E. MacKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Seed Coat ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Harvest Date ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Berry Size ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
Total Seed

The effects of pollination treatments on fruit set and five berry characteristics [mass, diameter, number of apparently viable seeds (well-developed, plump with dark seed coat), total seed number (includes apparently viable and partially developed seeds), and harvest date] were examined on three highbush blueberry cultivars. Pollination treatments included unpollinated, open pollinated, emasculated, and three hand pollinations that used pollen from the same flower, from the same cultivar, or from a different cultivar. Berries matured earliest and were smallest with the most apparently viable seeds in `Northland', `Patriot' had the greatest fruit set and smallest seed number, and `Bluecrop' matured the latest. Fruit set was greater, berry size larger, seed number smaller, and maturation later in 1990 than 1991. For all three cultivars, berries were generally smallest, latest maturing, and had the fewest seeds when pollination was prevented and were largest with the most seeds and earliest maturing in open visitation. Emasculation resulted in berries similar to those from unpollinated flowers. For berry characteristics, cross-pollination was of benefit for `Patriot' and possibly `Northland' but not `Bluecrop'. Thus, commercial highbush blueberry planting designs must be based on the pollination requirements of the particular cultivar. `Northland' berries almost always had seeds, while `Patriot' showed high levels and `Bluecrop' low levels of parthenocarpy.

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 Flower Position and Size Impact Ovule Number per Flower, Fruitset, and Fruit Size in Pomegranate

2013 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazel Y. Wetzstein ◽  
Weiguang Yi ◽  
Justin A. Porter ◽  
Nadav Ravid
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Flower Size ◽  
Ovule Development ◽  
Flower Type ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Flower Quality

Pomegranate trees (Punica granatum) produce large numbers of both hermaphroditic (bisexual) flowers that produce fruit and functionally male flowers that characteristically abort. Excessive production of male flowers can result in decreased yields resulting from their inability to set fruit. Within hermaphroditic flowers, sex expression appears to follow a spectrum ranging from those exhibiting strong to weak pistil development. Unknown is the scope that flower quality plays in influencing fruit production. A description of floral characteristics and how they vary with flowers of different sizes and positions is lacking in pomegranate and was the focus of this study. Furthermore, the effects of flower size and position on fruit set and fruit size were evaluated. This study documents that flower size characteristics and ovule development can be quite variable and are related to flower type and position. Single and terminal flowers within a cluster were larger than lateral flowers. In addition, lateral flowers exhibited a high frequency of flowers with poor ovule development sufficient to negatively impact fruiting in that flower type. Ovule numbers per flower were significantly influenced by flower size with more ovules in larger flowers. Pollination studies verified significantly higher fruit set and fruit weight, and larger commercial size distributions were obtained with larger vs. smaller flowers. Thus, flower quality is an important issue in pomegranate. Cultural and environmental factors that influence flower size and vigor may have a direct consequence on fruit production and yield.

scholarly journals Impact of Cross- and Self-pollination on Fruit Set, Fruit Size, Seed Number, and Harvest Timing Among 13 Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Taber ◽  
James W. Olmstead
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Cross Pollination ◽  
Self Pollination ◽  
Southern Highbush

Cross-pollination has been associated with improved fruit set, weight, and shortened time to ripening in southern highbush blueberry [SHB (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids)]. Because of this, growers commonly plant two or more cultivars in small blocks to facilitate cross-pollination. However, many SHB cultivars may vary in the degree of improvement in each parameter after cross-pollination. Understanding the impacts of cross-pollination on a particular cultivar is crucial to forming planting recommendations, particularly as growers begin to transition to fields designed for machine harvest where large solid blocks would increase the harvest efficiency. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of cross- and self-pollination among 13 commonly planted or newly released SHB cultivars. Cross-pollination typically improved fruit set, fruit weight, and seed number while decreasing the average days to harvest. Cross-pollinated fruit always weighed more than self-pollinated fruit from the same cultivar, which was highly correlated to seed number per fruit. Although there was variation for each trait, interplanting with another unrelated cultivar sharing a similar bloom time remains the best recommendation to ensure early, high yield among these SHB cultivars.

The association between floral longevity and pollen removal, pollen receipt, and fruit production in flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum)

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy C. Blair ◽  
Lorne M. Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Solitary Bee ◽  
Female Function ◽  
Floral Longevity ◽  
Pollen Removal ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Pollen Receipt

Floral longevity is an important feature of a plant’s reproductive strategy. The goal of this study was to examine flower life span in the shrub flame azalea ( Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr.) to determine if it is fixed or plastic and to evaluate its association with pollen removal and receipt. Unmanipulated flowers remained open for ~10 days, while hand-pollinated flowers closed earlier (~7 days), indicating that these flowers are subject to pollination-induced senescence. In 2002, pollen removal was rapid (~70% of pollen was removed in the first 2 h of anthesis), while female function was a slower process (pollen accumulated on stigmas for up to 4 days). Fruit set was pollen limited, as 80% of hand-outcrossed flowers set fruit versus 35% of naturally pollinated flowers. This is likely the result of the pollen-collecting behavior of a common solitary bee, which did not contact stigmas. In sharp contrast, 2003 was a cooler and wetter spring, few flower visitors were observed, and virtually no pollen was removed from or deposited on stigmas after 48 h. These results suggest that the flower life span of flame azalea is a result of selection for increasing the probability of pollen receipt rather than pollen dispersal.

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.

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