Improving pollen and nectar supply by identifying the red clover (<i>Trifolium pratense</i>) cultivars that attract most pollinators

Harris, Ciaran; Ratnieks, Francis L.W.

doi:10.1111/afe.12613

Cited by 3 publications

References 70 publications

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Significance of honeybee pollination in increasing seed yield of Trifolium alexandrinum (Fabales: Fabaceae) and its impact on economic sustainability of smallholder farmers

Tufail,

Krebs,

Southwell

et al. 2024

Journal of Economic Entomology

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A major limitation to producing high seed yields in berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is failure to set seed, predominantly due to lack of pollination. Despite the importance of berseem clover as a leading forage legume, the contribution of pollinators to seed set is scarce. In Pakistan, the honeybee population is declining mainly because of the extensive use of neonicotinoid pesticides and habitat fragmentation. This, combined with the region’s harsh environment and the use of inferior, locally bred genotypes, has resulted in low seed yields. Insufficient seed availability leads to limited forage supply, resulting in poor livestock nutrition, which subsequently impacts livestock health and productivity, and reduces farmers’ income. The present study estimated the seed production of 3 berseem clover genotypes resulting from honeybees [Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)] pollination in 2 growing seasons (2012–2014) in the central Punjab region of Pakistan. Experiments had 2 pollination treatments (open pollination and honeybee inclusion) and 3 seed genotypes, viz. farmer own-saved, market, and the improved variety cultivars. For both growing seasons, honeybee pollination resulted in significant increases in seed yields ranging from 35% to 67%, regardless of seed genotype. With the exception of the number of seed heads/m2, all seed yield parameters also increased significantly in response to honeybee inclusion. The combination of improved variety and honeybee inclusion resulted in the production of a maximum number of seeds per head (45.3), 1,000-seed weight (3.7 g), and estimated seed yield (375.5 kg/ha). In addition, the increase in estimated net income of seed ranged from PKR 82,485 Rs/ha (US$844/ha) to PKR 168,975 Rs/ha (US$1728/ha) with the use of honeybees as an insect pollinator across all the seed genotypes. Honeybee pollination has broader implications for mixed farming systems by playing a key role in preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable agriculture. It also enhances the quality and quantity of berseem crops by increasing the production of high-quality seeds and forage leading to improved livestock productivity and family food security which strengthens the economic resilience of rural communities.

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Significance of honeybee pollination in increasing seed yield of Trifolium alexandrinum (Fabales: Fabaceae) and its impact on economic sustainability of smallholder farmers

Tufail,

Krebs,

Southwell

et al. 2024

Journal of Economic Entomology

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Flower visitation through the lens: Exploring the foraging behaviour ofBombus terrestriswith a computer vision-based application

Varga-Szilay,

Szövényi,

Pozsgai

2024

Preprint

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To understand the processes behind pollinator declines, and thus to maintain pollination efficiency, we also have to understand fundamental drivers influencing pollinator behaviour. In this study, we aim to explore the foraging behaviour of wild bumblebees, recognizing its importance from economic and conservation perspectives. We recordedBombus terrestrisonLotus creticus,Persicaria capitata, andTrifolium pratensepatches in five-minute-long slots in urban areas of Terceira (Azores, Portugal). For the automated bumblebee detection, we created computer vision models based on a deep learning algorithm, with custom datasets. We achieved high F1 scores of 0.88 forLotusandPersicaria, and 0.95 forTrifolium, indicating accurate bumblebee detection. We found that flower cover per cent, but not plant species, influenced the attractiveness of flower patches, with a significant positive effect. There were no differences between plant species in the attractiveness of the flower heads. The handling time was longer on the large-headedTrifoliumthan those on the smaller-headedLotusandPersicaria. However, our result did not indicate significant differences in the time bumblebees spent on flowers among the three plant species. Here, we also justify computer vision-based analysis as a reliable tool for studying pollinator behavioural ecology.

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Flower Visitation through the Lens: Exploring the Foraging Behaviour of Bombus terrestris with a Computer Vision-Based Application

Varga-Szilay,

Szövényi,

Pozsgai

2024

Insects

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To understand the processes behind pollinator declines and for the conservation of pollination services, we need to understand fundamental drivers influencing pollinator behaviour. Here, we aimed to elucidate how wild bumblebees interact with three plant species and investigated their foraging behaviour with varying flower densities. We video-recorded Bombus terrestris in 60 × 60 cm quadrats of Lotus creticus, Persicaria capitata, and Trifolium pratense in urban areas of Terceira (Azores, Portugal). For the automated bumblebee detection and counting, we created deep learning-based computer vision models with custom datasets. We achieved high model accuracy of 0.88 for Lotus and Persicaria and 0.95 for Trifolium, indicating accurate bumblebee detection. In our study, flower cover was the only factor that influenced the attractiveness of flower patches, and plant species did not have an effect. We detected a significant positive effect of flower cover on the attractiveness of flower patches for flower-visiting bumblebees. The time spent per unit of inflorescence surface area was longer on the Trifolium than those on the Lotus and Persicaria. However, our result did not indicate significant differences in the time bumblebees spent on inflorescences among the three plant species. Here, we also justify computer vision-based analysis as a reliable tool for studying pollinator behavioural ecology.

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Improving pollen and nectar supply by identifying the red clover (Trifolium pratense) cultivars that attract most pollinators

Cited by 3 publications

References 70 publications

Significance of honeybee pollination in increasing seed yield of Trifolium alexandrinum (Fabales: Fabaceae) and its impact on economic sustainability of smallholder farmers

Significance of honeybee pollination in increasing seed yield of Trifolium alexandrinum (Fabales: Fabaceae) and its impact on economic sustainability of smallholder farmers

Flower visitation through the lens: Exploring the foraging behaviour ofBombus terrestriswith a computer vision-based application

Flower Visitation through the Lens: Exploring the Foraging Behaviour of Bombus terrestris with a Computer Vision-Based Application

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