scholarly journals Nectar Production and Spectrum of Insect Visitors in Six Varieties of Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in SE Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Bożek
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Sugar Yield ◽  
Sugar Concentration ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
Se Poland ◽  
Nectar Sugar ◽  
Insect Visitors

Abstract The attractiveness of plants to pollinators depends strongly on flower rewards, especially nectar and pollen. Nectar mass, sugar concentration, and sugar mass are known to influence the spectrum and abundance of insect visitors. Respective data on nectar secretion in highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum ) under the climatic conditions of Poland are scarce. This study was conducted in 2002–2005 to assess flower abundance, nectar production, and insect visitors in six varieties of V. corymbosum in Niemce, SE Poland. Flower abundance ranged from 1.63 ± 0.64 (‘Darrow’) to 4.07 ± 0.95 in thousands of flowers per shrub (‘Northland’). Nectar mass, sugar concentration, and nectar sugar mass increased with flower age, peaking between the sixth and ninth day. Significant differences in nectar characteristics occurred between years and between varieties. ‘Bluecrop’ and ‘Darrow’ produced the largest nectar mass (19.08 ± 7.09 and 16.60 ± 8.31 mg nectar per flower, respectively) and nectar sugar mass per flower (6.39 ± 1.52 and 5.76 ± 1.51 mg sugar per flower, respectively). The estimated sugar yield in the studied V. corymbosum varieties ranged from 9.4 ± 3.3 to 20.7 ± 3.8 g sugar per shrub (‘Croatan’ and ‘Bluecrop,’ respectively). Regarding insect visitors, only honey bees and bumble bees were observed. Honey bees comprised 81%–98% of the total number of observed insect visitors. Highbush blueberry, due to abundant blooming and high per-flower sugar yield, is thus a good source of nectar sugars for honey bees.

scholarly journals Foliar Calcium Corrects a Deficiency Causing Green Fruit Drop in ‘Draper’ Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Gerbrandt ◽  
Charles Mouritzen ◽  
Mark Sweeney
Keyword(s):  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Physiological Disorder ◽  
Fertilization Rates ◽  
Green Fruit ◽  
Fruit Drop

‘Draper’ northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is a widely-planted mid-season cultivar with excellent fruit quality. Under the climatic conditions of Southwestern British Columbia, Canada, and Northwestern Washington, USA, it expresses a physiological disorder causing spontaneous green fruit drop (GFD) of up to half of the developing crop just prior to onset of the fruit coloring phenophase. Reduction of economic losses due to GFD required identification of the cause of this disorder and development of an agronomic solution that would reduce fruit drop. In 2014, two initial experiments were conducted to compare three foliar Ca products under a range of N fertilization rates. In 2015 and 2016, three locations were used in a first step to optimizing rates and timings of foliar Ca application. Initial experiments determined that higher N fertilization rates exacerbate GFD but that foliar Ca corrects the condition. Multi-site, multi-year trials identified key rates and timings for foliar Ca application to provide an agronomic solution for commercial growers. These trials identified an acute fruit Ca deficiency as the cause of GFD, and that foliar calcium applied frequently at high concentration from mid-bloom onward can be effective in reducing GFD, often to negligible levels. This condition has now been reported in several production regions around the world.

Evaluation of the apicultural value of sunflower hybrids

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Zajácz ◽  
T. Szalai ◽  
G. Mészáros
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
Honey Production ◽  
Partial Data ◽  
High Sugar Content ◽  
Nectar Sugar ◽  
Production Value ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Selection Of

Sunflower is one of the most important bee-pasture crops and the leading oil crop plant in Hungary. There are very few studies concerning the nectar production of the plant, most of which consist only of partial data that show the apicultural value of sunflower under intensive cultivation conditions.The nectar production and nectar sugar concentration of six sunflower hybrids, Arena, Alexandra, Cledor, Coriste, Hysun 321 PR and Louidor, were examined in Mezőhegyes (south-east Hungary) from 2002 to 2004. The aim was to determine the nectar production and overall apicultural value of the hybrids. In the experiment the agroecological conditions were also examined and recorded. These agroecological conditions showed a distinctive effect on the consistency of the apicultural values of the hybrids.It can be determined from the results that the nectar production and its sugar content can be modified measurably by external factors. The nectar quantity was measurably increased by abundant precipitation during flowering, while an increase in the nectar sugar content was caused by excessively low air temperature. During these three years the average nectar production of the hybrids was 0.147 mg/floret, with a sugar content of 48.8%. Significant differences were found between the hybrids in nectar production and in the nectar sugar concentration.Averaged over three years Coriste displayed the best apicultural value. Its nectar production was stable and high (0.167 mg/floret). Its high sugar content (49.1%) also proved to be attractive to honey bees (sugar value 0.082). The lowest apicultural value was displayed by the hybrid Alexandra, with a sugar value of 0.059. This suggests that the honey production value of the individual hybrids should be taken into consideration during the selection of bee pastures.

POLLEN STORAGE AND FORAGING BY HONEY BEES (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) IN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES (ERICACEAE), CULTIVAR BLUECROP

1999 ◽  
Vol 131 (6) ◽  
pp. 757-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margriet H. Dogterom ◽  
Mark L. Winston
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Colony Size ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Pollen Foraging ◽  
Pollen Storage ◽  
Pollen Types ◽  
Average Proportion ◽  
Highbush Blueberries

AbstractWe investigated pollen and nectar foraging of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., from pollen-poor and pollen-rich, small and large colonies in blooming highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Bluecrop fields. The proportion of pollen foragers differed significantly between pollen-rich and pollen-poor colonies after storage levels were manipulated, but foraging and pollen stores returned to similar levels within a week. No differences were found in small colonies, although the proportion of pollen foragers was high (46% and 45% from pollen-rich and pollen-poor colonies, respectively). Only 7.6% of pollen foragers carried Vaccinium sp. pollen in their loads independent of treatment, day, and colony size, whereas 60.8% of nectar foragers carried up to 100 tetrads of Vaccinium sp. pollen on their bodies. The average proportion of Vaccinium sp. pollen carried by nectar and pollen foragers per day and treatment was less than 10%. Our research indicates that when colonies are placed in fields of blooming blueberry flowers, pollen foraging is stimulated in large colonies with stores that are pollen poor, but predominantly for pollen types other than blueberry. This research indicates that nectar foragers are the major visitor of highbush blueberry cv. Bluecrop and suggests that increasing the number of nectar foragers rather than pollen foragers would result in more honey bees foraging on highbush blueberry, in particular cv. Bluecrop.

scholarly journals Characteristics of blooming, pollen production, and insect visitors of Polemonium caeruleum L. – a species with a potential to enrich pollinator-friendly urban habitats

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Bożek
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
White Flower ◽  
Blue Flower ◽  
Pollen Production ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Se Poland ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Flower Form ◽  
Insect Visitors

Mosaic structure of urban green areas is regarded as favorable for pollinating insects. Ornamental plants can provide food resources to pollinators and may thus be used to create pollinator-friendly habitats. However, detailed data on forage quantity and quality is required for the selection of the most valuable plant species. In this paper, blooming biology, pollen production, and insect visitors of two forms (blue-flower and white-flower) of <em>Polemonium caeruleum</em> were studied in the period of 2012–2014 in Lublin, SE Poland. Both forms bloomed from mid-May until mid-June. The average mass of pollen produced in a single flower was 1.57 mg and 1.39 mg in blue-flower and white-flower forms, respectively. On average, the blue-flower form produced 7.74 g of pollen/m<sup>2</sup>, while the white-flower form yielded 6.54 g of pollen/m<sup>2</sup>. Both forms attracted mainly honey bees and solitary bees. <em>Polemonium caeruleum</em> can be considered a good source of pollen for honey bees and wild insect pollinators and should be propagated in urban pollinator-friendly arrangements.

scholarly journals Chemical composition of sea-buckthorn and highbush blueberry fruits grown in the Republic of Belarus

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Maria Zenkova ◽  
Julia Pinchykova
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Organic Acids ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Solid Content ◽  
Sea Buckthorn ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Pectin Content ◽  
The Republic

Chemical composition of sea-buckthorn and highbush blueberry fruits determines their value while using them fresh or processed. Berries have distinctive characteristics depending on a variety, soil and climatic conditions and growing techniques. The object of the researches have been Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae L.) of three varieties (Podarok sadu, Trofimovskaya, Botanicheskaya) and Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) of five varieties (Duke, Bluetta, Bluecrop, Northland, Coville) grown in the Republic of Belarus. Sea-buckthorn and Highbush Blueberry fruits chemical composition has been studied during a three-year cycle of monitoring using standard methods and in accordance with technical legal acts of the Republic of Belarus. Solid content (13,0-15,3%), sugar content (4,00-4,80%), organic acids (1,10-2,05%), nitrogen substances content (0,29-0,46%), lipids (3,6-6,2%), pectin content (0,40-0,50%), fiber (3,20-4,90%), minerals, vitamin С (44,7-78,7 мг/100г), β-carotene (4,4-13,2 мг/100г) have been studied in Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae L.). Solid content (12,2-15,1%), sugar content (2,73-3,96%), organic acids (0,59-0,95%), pectin content (0,57-0,97%), fiber (1,20-1,68%), bioflavonoids (276-368 мг/100 г), bioflavonoids complex fractional composition (anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, catechines, flavonols), vitamin С (60,5-72,2 мг/100 г) and mineral content have been studied in Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Exogenous contaminants content (arsenic, heavy metals), hygienical safety indexes, caesium 137 radionuclides content have been investigated in the fruits. Specific varieties characterictics of Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae L.) and Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fruit chemical composition have been determined. The studied fruit is fully safe and can be recommended to be used both fresh and processed.

scholarly journals Biology of flowering and nectar production in the flowers of the beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis Graebn.)

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
Marta Dmitruk
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Sugar Concentration ◽  
Bud Break ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
The Third ◽  
Nectar Sugar ◽  
The Mean

Nectar production and the morphology of the nectary and pollen grains of <em>Kolwitzia amabilis </em>Graebn. were studied during the period 2008–2009 and in 2011. The blooming of beauty bush flowers started in the third decade of May and ended in the middle of June; flowering lasted 22–23 days. The flower life span was 4–5 days. Nectar production began at the bud break stage. The tube of the corolla in beauty bush flowers forms a spur inside which the nectary is located. The secretory surface of the nectary consists of two layers of glandular epidermal outgrowths: unicellular trichomes, with their length ranging 54.6 μm – 70.2 μm, and papillae with a length of 13.0 μm – 20.6 μm. The mean weight of nectar per 10 flowers, determined for the three years of the study, was 8.6 mg, with a sugar concentration of 50.8%. The weight of nectar sugar was on average 4.4 mg. In terms of the size, beauty bush pollen grains are classified as medium-sized. These are tricolporate grains.

scholarly journals Canopy Position, Defoliation, and Girdling Influence Apple Nectar Production

HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Campbell ◽  
Richard D. Fell ◽  
Richard P. Marini
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Concentration ◽  
Nectar Production ◽  
Nectar Volume ◽  
Canopy Position ◽  
Nectar Sugar

Flowering spurs located at interior and exterior canopy positions of `Stay-man' and `Delicious' apple (Malus domestics Borkh.) trees were girdled and/or defoliated to determine the influence on nectar production and composition. Nectar volume was less at exterior than interior canopy positions for `Delicious', but not for `Stayman'. Girdling suppressed nectar production by 92% and reduced the sugar concentration of the remaining nectar. Defoliation of nongirdled spurs had no effect on nectar sugar concentration, but defoliation of girdled spurs reduced nectar sugar concentration by 24%. Relative percentages of sucrose, glucose, and fructose, and the sucrose: hexose ratio were unaffected by any treatment. Nectar production of nongirdled spurs did not depend on the presence of spur leaves.

scholarly journals Nectar secretion and pollen production in Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Sky Jacket’ (Asparagaceae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Bożek
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Sugar Concentration ◽  
Pollen Production ◽  
Nectar Secretion ◽  
Floral Reward ◽  
Se Poland ◽  
Hyacinthus Orientalis ◽  
Nectar Sugar ◽  
Flower Position

Flowering, nectar secretion, and pollen production in <em>Hyacinthus orientalis</em> ‘Sky Jacket’ (Asparagaceae) were studied between 2013 and 2015 in Lublin, SE Poland (51°16' N, 22°30' E). The flowering was weather-dependent. It started at the beginning of April or at the end of the month and lasted 14–24 days. The mass of nectar, sugar concentration in the nectar, nectar sugar mass, anther size, and pollen mass in flowers all depended on the flower position in the inflorescence and differed significantly between the years of study. The greatest mass of sugars and pollen was recorded in low-positioned flowers. On average, <em>H. orientalis</em> ‘Sky Jacket’ produced 1.63 mg of sugars and 3.51 mg of pollen per flower. The floral reward was attractive for <em>Apis mellifera</em> and <em>Bombus</em> spp., which indicate that the species should be propagated not only for its decorative value but also for supporting pollinators in early spring.

scholarly journals Evaluating Hornfaced Bees (Osmia cornifrons) as Pollinators of Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1012D-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd P. West ◽  
Thomas W. McCutcheon
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
The Other ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Ripe Fruit ◽  
Mature Field ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
Better Than

The objective of this study was to investigate the use of hornfaced bees (Osmia cornifrons Radoszkowski) as a successful sustainable alternative for pollination of commercial highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The hornfaced bee is native to Japan and introduced to the United States in 1977 by the USDA. Hornfaced bees have been shown to be 300× more efficient in pollinating apples than honey bees. Hornfaced bees are active for 4–6 weeks (April to June), and then the adults die. The rest of the year (10 months), dormant hornfaced bees exist inside nest cells located in cardboard straws stored away from berry production areas. Currently, there are no reports on hornfaced bee use available for blueberry farmers. Five pollinator treatments were compared in 2005 including: hornedfaced bees; honey bees; bumble bees; natural pollinators; and no pollinators. Enclosed pollination cages were constructed around mature field-grown highbush blueberry plants to prevent mixing of pollinator treatments. Each cage contained a single pollinator treatment except for the natural pollinator treatment. The five pollinator treatments were replicated three times inside separate netted cages on the farm. Three branches per plant were randomly selected that had a minimum of five fruiting buds and blossom number recorded. After pollination occurred the cages were removed to allow the berries to ripen. Ripe fruit were picked weekly over the season (July to August), with the fruit from each sample being counted and weighed. Blossom number was compared to fruit number and weight to determine efficiency of pollination as a result of the pollinator treatments. The results showed that hornfaced bees pollinated blueberries as well as or better than the other pollinators.

scholarly journals Foliar Applications of Calcium and Boron Do Not Increase Fruit Set or Yield in Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 1259-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Arrington ◽  
Lisa Wasko DeVetter
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Foliar Sprays ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Northern Highbush Blueberry

Fruit set in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) can be low under certain climatic conditions, contributing to reduced yields in northwestern Washington. The mechanisms influencing fruit set are complex, but reduced fruit set may be associated with inadequate nutrient availability during critical stages of flowering, ovule fertilization, and initial fruit development. Calcium (Ca) and boron (B) are of particular interest for reproductive developmental processes and are frequently applied annually by growers in the Pacific Northwest region because of the perception that these nutrients enhance fruit set and corresponding yields. Evaluation of commonly applied products containing these nutrients and their effects on fruit set and yield are of specific importance to justify the application of these nutrients. To address this, commercially available fertilizers containing Ca and B were applied to ‘Draper’ and ‘Bluecrop’ blueberry as foliar sprays, either alone or in combination, during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in northwestern Washington. Treatments included calcium chloride (750 and 1500 ppm Ca), calcium sulfate (150 ppm Ca), and tetra borate (125 and 250 ppm B) foliar sprays, repeated six times per season every 7–10 days from early pink bud through petal fall. No significant increases were observed for fruit set, estimated yield, and fruit quality (firmness and berry weight) across the treatments. Increased concentrations of B were observed in leaf tissues in 2015 and 2016, and to a lesser extent fruit tissues. Calcium remained unchanged regardless of treatment and tissue type. Under the conditions of this study, foliar applications of Ca and B did not lead to increased fruit set or yield. This research suggests that other approaches should be explored to increase fruit set and corresponding yields of highbush blueberry grown in northwest Washington.

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