the influence of the anemophilous trees competition on …. type and . rubus. type pollen were...
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RESULTSThe pollen analysis of nests’ stores collected immediately after the end of the cherry flowers blooming showed differences in the percentage of cherry pollen grains in each points of the orchard. In the nests localized 150-300 m from the other plants attractive for bees, the average content of the cherry pollen was about 36% in 2006 and about 9.5% in 2008. The significant increase of the cherry pollen was observed in colonies localized 350-500 m from the competitive plants. There was an average about 57% of cherry pollen in 2006 and about 17% in 2008.In all examined samples, except of the cherry pollen, a very high percentage of pollen grains of anemophilous trees (Juglans and Quercus) was found. Moreover a lower percentage of: Lamiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae, Rosaceae, Taraxacum type, Berberis, Malus type, Fragaria type and Rubus type pollen were found.During the observation, not high intensity of visiting the cherry flowers by both Osmia and honey bees was noticed. The increase of Osmia population at the beginning and at the end of the orchard, where initially 3000 cocoons were put, was similar and it reached about 2.6 in 2006 and about 1.8 in 2008.
MATERIALS AND METHODSIn the new experiment a 500 meters long cherry orchard was chosen. A several colonies were located at various distances from competitive plants. The efficiency of cherry pollination by Osmia rufa was evaluated on basis of flower visit observations and palynological analysis of nests.
The coefficient of population increase was also qualified.In the cherry orchard in Rudy nearby Pulawy in 2006 and 2008, about 2 weeks before blooming of cherry flowers, 9,000 cocoons of Osmia rufa ware put out. Some other plants attractive for insects bloomed about 150 m from one border of the orchard. Cocoons were put along the orchard with reed tubes as the nest material and placed in wooden boxes. They were left in 7-8 points in distance about 50 m from each other. The investigations were not continued in 2007 because about 90% of cherry flowers were da-maged by strong ground frost.
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Prynus Quercus Juglans
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The distance Osmia rufa colonies from competitive plants
CONCLUSIONSDuring the two years of research (2006, 2008) an increase of the content of cherry pollen in the nest cells with the distance from competitive plants was observed. This pro-ves the retractive influence of high-yield pollenarious plants like Juglans and Quercus.This research showed that the distance of Osmia rufa colony from competitive plants above 300 m influenced in the significant increase of the content of cherry pollen grains in the nest cells. It results in a more intensive visiting of cherry flowers and a better pollination.Differences in the increase of Osmia population observed in each year of the experiment were probably caused by different weather and foraging conditions during the flight of bees.
INTRODUCTIONThe research were carried out in Kazimierz Dolny near Pulawy in the years 2002-2004 to verify the applicalibility of the red mason bee (Osmia rufa) for pollination of cherry or-chards. It proved a very high percentage of anemophilous plants pollen in their nests, while the share of cherry pollen was maximally 38%. The reason for that could be proximity of the Kazimierski Landscape Park ravines with a great number of anemophilous species of trees. Osmia rufa willingly collected that pollen what resulted in decreased number of this bee on cherry flowers.
The influence of the anemophilous trees competition on red mason bee (Osmia rufa L.) visits in cherry orchards
Changes of the proportional participation of Prunus, Juglans and Quercus pollen in Osmia rufa nests with relation to increase of the distance colonies from competitive plants
The coefficient of population increasePlacement 2006 2008
Closer to competitive plants 2,50 1,82 Distant from competitive plants 2,74 1,74
Dariusz Teper, Mieczysław BilińskiResearch Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division
Pulawy 24-100, Kazimierska 2 st, Polande-mail: [email protected]
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Prunus Quercus Juglans
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The distance Osmia rufa colonies from competitive plants
Placement of Osmia rufa colony in the cherry orchard
Rudy 2006
Rudy 2008
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Osmia rufa colony in the cherry orchard
Cherry flowers damaged by strong ground frost in 2007
A microscopic view of cherry pollen in Osmia rufa nests
Osmia rufa female in the cherry flower
Apis mellifera with pollen loads
Cherry orchard
Cherry orchard