Influence of Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Density on the Production of Canola (Crucifera: Brassicacae)

Abstract

Pollination is an essential step in the seed production of canola, Brassica napus L. It is achieved with the assistance of various pollen vectors, but particularly by the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. Although the importance of pollination has been shown for the production of seed crops, the need to introduce bee hives in canola fields during flowering to increase oil seed yield has not yet been proven. With the purpose of showing this, hives of A. mellifera were grouped and placed in various canola fields in the Chaudière-Appalaches and Capitale-Nationale regions (nine fields; three blocks with three treatments; 0, 1.5, and 3 hives per hectare). A cage was used to exclude pollinators and bee visitations were observed in each field. After the harvest, yield analyses were done in relation to the bee density gradient created, by using pod set, number of seeds per plant, and weight of 1000 seeds. Results showed an improvement in seed yield of 46% in the presence of three honey bee hives per hectare, compared with the absence of hives. The introduction of honey bees contributed to production and consequently, these pollinators represented a beneficial and important pollen vector for the optimal yield of canola.

Diversity of insect pollinators with reference to their impact on yield production of canola (Brassica napus L.) in Ismailia, Egypt

“…Besides contributing to the preservation of natural ecosystems, bee pollination is one of the main sources for improvement of crop productivity (Mahmoud, 2012). Thus honey bees, A. mellifera, are considered the most important flower visitors (Delaplane & Mayer, 2000) and most efficient B. napus pollinators (Free, 1993;Sabbahi et al, 2005).…”

Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) as a potential Brassica napus pollinator (cv. Hyola 432) (Brassicaceae), in Southern Brazil

“…The latter secrete a greater amount of nectar, with high concentrations of sugars, and are more easily accessible to insects during the entire anthesis period (Williams, 1980). Even though B. napus is considered a self-compatible crop (Williams, 1978;Eisikowitch, 1981), susceptible to wind pollination (Gene Technology Regulator, 2002), the foraging bees increase its productivity rate (McGregor, 1976;Delaplane and Mayer, 2000;Sabbahi et al, 2005).…”

Effect of insecticides on foraging behaviour and pollination role of <i>Apis mellifera</i> L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on toria (<i>Brassica campestris</i> var. <i>toria</i>) crop

“…Sabir et al (2000) found that honeybees maximized seed yield, 1000-grain seed yield and germination percentage in Brassica campestris. Sabbahi et al (2005) found a significant improvement in the seed yield when honeybees were present. Munawar et al (2009) reported significant increases in a range of plant parameters when caged with bees as compared to plants without bees.…”