USA UU (Florida): Bumblebees boost blueberry production
Bumblebees can boost blueberry production up to 70%, according to a study by the Institute of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the University of Florida (UF / IFAS), which also highlights the need for pollinators for blueberries, as stated by Joshua Campbell, postdoctoral researcher in the entomology department of UF / IFAS.
After enclosing a group of bumblebees with several Highbush blueberry bushes, the researchers discovered that the 70% of the flowers of these shrubs ended up producing blueberries, while only the 10% of the flowers that lacked bumblebee hives gave fruit.
«We believe that our findings are relevant for growers who grow blueberries in greenhouses and high tunnels«says Campbell. Like other fruit plants, blueberries need pollinators, and scientists say farmers are increasingly relying on honey bees. However, bumblebees are much more active in poor weather conditions and are better pollinators of highbush blueberries, so UF/IFAS researchers conducted an experiment at a large-scale commercial blueberry farm in northern Florida, which had satisfactory results.
Campbell adds that although Florida growers already used bumblebees on their plantations, until now they had no evidence that they were more efficient for Highbush blueberries.
In Florida there are only five bumblebee species, but they are very common in the center and north of the state. Of these, only one can be controlled and used to pollinate. In addition, to obtain good commercial performance, Campbell advises producers to place hives in their fields to increase the bumblebee population.
Florida blueberry production consists of early varieties, so producers in this state are the main suppliers from April to May, months in which they receive higher prices, according to an extension document of UF / IFAS, which can download in: http://bit.ly/2ohUaeU.
Source: Ufl.edu
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