Pollination, the Grand Interaction Among Flowers, Bees, Growers and Beekeepers EASTERN KENTUCKY BEEKEEPING SCHOOL PROGRAM, January 20, 2018 Hazard Community and Technical College John A. Skinner University of Tennessee
Squash Production Requires Pollination
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Transfer of pollen from anther to the stigma
Why Do We Need Bees? Fruit and Vegetable Production Requires Pollination
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Annual value of Tennessee crops benefited by bee pollination Acreage Value Crops 30,525 $51,475,000 Home gardens 62,000 $67,500,000 Total 92,525 $118,975,000
Annual Pollinated Crop Value United States $26+ Billion Tennessee - $500+ Million
Tennessee Apiculture Programs Extension and Research Estimated Economic Impact After Surveys: Reducing Losses to One-Half of Average Loss. Saving 10,000 Colonies Valued at $1,720,000.
If Flowers Are Restaurants to Bees, Then What Are Bees To Flowers? Hungry? Thirsty? Robots? Sexual Facilitators? Fooled? Pollinators, of Course! Partners +
Comparing Flowers to Restaurants Both Offer Food Rewards. Bees Need Nectar as Carbohydrate and Pollen as Protein. People Need Carbohydrates and Proteins. Both Advertise to Attract Visitors. Flowers are Signs to Bees. Restaurants Use Signs to Attract People.
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Pollen load on bee s hind leg Pollen stored in colony
What is the Purpose of Flowers? Advertisement to Attract Pollinators. VISUAL Color Visible to Bees Blue, White, Yellow Bees See UV but not Red. Nectar Guides of Contrasting Color. TEXTURE Affects reflection of light FORM + DEPTH +SHAPE
Salvia coccinea Salvia sp.
Henbit Note red pollen on bees head Note Purple nectar guides
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis): To the human eye the flower looks solid yellow but insects can aim for the bullseye in the centre
Magnolia Flower 1. Stigmas Receptive First Female First = Protogynous 2. Anthers Open Later Male Stage
Bumble Bees Buzz Pollinate Rabiteye Blueberry
Carpenter Bee Perforates Corolla Honey Bee Thieves Nectar
I am glad Tennessee skunks are not this large!
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Average annual value of the increased yield and quality of US agricultural products attributable to honey bee pollination from 1996 to 1998 was estimated to be $14.6 billion
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Pollination is also cooperation between the grower/producer and the beekeeper The Beekeeper receives Income - $$: Pollination fees $100-$150 per strong colony Purpose to pollinate crop not make honey The Grower Produces Higher Yields : Produces seed Produces fruit
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Effects of Good Pollination on Fruit Quality Good pollination results in: Fuller pods Regular shaped symmetrical Concentrated fruit set Compact clusters of fruit or seed Greater total yield
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Factors to consider when renting bee colonies for pollination Timing: colonies in place just after bloom begins Placement: in groups of 4 to 8; 300 450 ft. apart (may not be feasible) Colony strength: 6 8 deep frames of bees & at least 6 frames of brood; strong flight activity; grower should inspect Colony number: depends on crop and acreage
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Factors to consider when renting bee colonies for pollination Crop Average no. of colonies per acre Apples 1.2 Blueberries 4 Cantaloupe 2.4 Cucumber 2.1 Pumpkin, Squash 1.5 Watermelon 1.3
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Factors to consider when renting bee colonies for pollination Pesticide applications: Don t apply to crops in bloom, especially those being pollinated with rented colonies Insecticides vary in their effect on honey bees; safest: low toxicity (high LD 50 ) & short residual Apply in early evening to minimize risk Granules and solutions are safer than wettable powders and dusts
Honey Bees and Crop Pollination Factors to consider when renting bee colonies for pollination Pesticide applications The grower and beekeeper must deal with pesticide application issues; pollination contract should require the grower to give a 24- to 48-hour notice of a pesticide application
What is a Pollination Contract? Protects Beekeeper and Grower Written Mutual Agreement Defines Responsibilities of Both Avoids Confusion
Honey Bees, Pollination and Dogwoods? You ve Got To Bee Kidding John A. Skinner J. Patrick Parkman Michael D. Studer and Mark Dogwood Windham
Dogwood Breeding Project Fooling the Bees
$ Dogwoods Are A Major Nursery Crop $
Native Dogwoods Provide Food For Wildlife
Dogwood Diseases Cause Major Problems Dogwood Anthracnose Discula destructiva Lesions on leaves Twigs, bark. Aided by cool wet weather Powdery Mildew Microsphaera corni White Lesions on leaf surface. Distorted foliage. Aided by warm dry weather followed by cool nights.
Cornus florida cultivars Appalachian Spring White Bracts Resistant to Anthracnose Susceptible to Powdery Mildew Cherokee Brave Pink Bracts Resistant to Powdery Mildew
Overall Goal To produce a white dogwood that is resistant to anthracnose and powdery mildew.
Dogwood Pollination Dogwoods Probably Native Bee Pollinated? Dogwoods Not Attractive to Honey Bees? Very Low Nectar Production More Attractive Nectar Plants Nearby? Pollen Only? Pollination Studies Incomplete
Cultivars in Cages With a Nucleus Colony of Honey Bees
Trick or Treat The Bees? Create a False Nectary of Sugar Syrup Gives Forager Food Reward Reinforces Behavior Place at Base of Bracts Careful Now! Add QMP Queen Mandibular Pheromone Adds Scent Cue Cue Reinforces Behavior Low and Beehold It Works!
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