Pollination management: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:15, 12 November 2003

Revision as of 12:02, 12 November 2003

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Crops that traditionally have had managed pollination include [[apple]], [[almond]]s, [[pear]]s, some [[cherry]] varieties, [[blueberries]], [[cranberries]], [[cucumber]]s, [[cantaloupe]], [[watermelon]], [[alfalfa]] seeds, [[onion]] seeds, and many others. Some crops that have traditionally depended entirely on chance pollination by wild pollinators need pollination management nowadays to make a profitable crop.

Organisms that are currently being used as pollinators in managed pollination are [[honeybees]], [[bumblebees]], [[alfalfa leafcutter beesbee]]s, [[orchard mason bees]], and [[fuzzyfooted bees]]. Other species are expected to be added to this list as this field develops. Humans also can be pollinators, as the garderer who [[hand pollinates]] her [[squash]] blossoms, or the Middle Eastern farmer, who climbs his [[date palms]] to pollinate them.

Before pollination needs were understood, orchardists often planted entire blocks of apples on a single variety. Because apples are self sterile, and a variety is a genetic [[clone]] (equivalent to a single plant) this is not a good idea. Growers now supply pollenizers, by planting crab apples interspersed in the rows, or by grafting crab apple limbs on some trees. Pollenizers can also be supplies by putting drum bouquets of crab apples or a compatible apple variety in the orchard blocks.