According to the US Dept of Agriculture, one-third of the world’s food supply depends on bee pollination.
Proper pollination increases quality, consistency of fruit yield, and reduces crop loss due to misshapen fruit.
Tree fruit production in Australia is dependant on the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Crops such as apple, pear, stone fruit including cherries, avocados and almonds all rely on the humble, hard working bee to pollinate flowers laying the foundation for efficient crop production.
In certain conditions efficient pollination does not occur, lowering the yield potential of the orchard.
Conditions that effect pollination include:
- Competition from other sources of pollen produced by weeds or alternate crops
- Not enough bee hives
- Low populations of bees within the hive
- Hail net contributes to bee navigation difficulties
- Overcast conditions reduce bee activity
- Some flowers are relatively unattractive to bees.
AgNova Technologies now market Polynate, a hand-applied, controlled release dispenser containing powerful attractants for bees.
Darren Thomas, sales and marketing manager with AgNova Technologies said, “Growers now have a simple to use, long acting bee attractant to encourage bees into the orchard to improve pollination. This technology was developed first in Australia by Bioglobal, the same company that developed Isomates”.
Enhancing bee activity
Recent trials in Shepparton, Victoria reflected international data which proves that Polynate enhances bee activity.
This trial demonstrated more even pollination in areas treated with Polynate, resulting in more Class 1 fruit being packed, and 21% fewer deformed pears on each treated tree (see Figure 1).
In almonds in California, a significant increase in fruit set was measured where dispensers were applied at the rate of four dispensers per tree (see Figure 2).
In 2011 Bioglobal’s work in almonds in California has given very promising results. Fruit set was increased by 29% relative to untreated trees where 1000 dispensers per hectare were used.
The dispensers are rain resistant and fade from a rich yellow colour to white when out in the sun.
Increase fruit set
The manufacturer maintains that Polynate has potential to increase fruit set where pollination is the limiting factor.
Work is continuing on a range of crops including apples, cherries and blueberries in USA. In addition, Bioglobal is working in a number of tropical crops including mangoes, cashews and lychees in some Asian markets.
This Australian invention is a world first and provides a tool to assist growers to maximise the impact of bee populations and hence optimise their returns.
To see the graphs and contact details, see the September 2012 issue of Tree Fruit
