Native bees pollinate tomato flowers and increase fruit production

Abstract

The tomato plant has a specific relationship with native pollinators because the form of its flowers is adapted to buzz pollination carried out by some pollen-gatherer bees that vibrate their indirect flight muscles to obtain that floral resource. The absence and the low density of these bees in tomato fields can lead to pollination deficits for crop. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that open tomato flowers, probably visited by native pollinator, have greater pollen load on their stigma than unvisited flowers. Another objective is to show that this great pollen load increases fruit production. We selected crops of the Italian tomato cultivar in areas of the State of Goiás, Brazil. Thirty seven plants of three crops each had one inflorescence bagged in the field. Bagged and non-bagged flowers had their stigmas collected and the amount of pollen on their surfaces was quantified. For the comparison of fruit production, we monitored bagged and not-bagged inflorescences and after 40 days, their fruits were counted, weighed, measured and had their seeds counted. The amount of pollen grains on the stigma of flowers available to pollinators was higher than that on the stigma of bagged flowers. On average, fruit production was larger in not-bagged inflorescences than in bagged inflorescences. In addition, not-bagged flowers produced heavier fruits than did bagged flowers. There was a significant difference in the number of seeds between treatments, with significantly more seeds in the non-bagged fruit. Our results show that native bees buzz-pollinate tomato flowers, increasing the pollen load on their stigma and consequently fruit production and quality.

Buzz-Pollinated Crops: A Global Review and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Supplemental Bee Pollination in Tomato

“…Research on tomato pollination in Brazil has clearly recognized the opportunity to capitalize on wild assemblages of native bees ( Franceschinelli et al 2013 , Vinícius-Silva et al 2017 , Roubik 2018 ). Looking beyond bumblebees, Silva-Neto et al (2019) investigated the potential of the native buzz-pollinating stingless bee M. quadrifasciata Le Peletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae) for greenhouse tomato pollination in Brazil.…”

“…A potential solution to this problem might be to capitalize on South America’s rich bee fauna, which includes many buzz pollinators. Field tomato crops which are accessible to native pollinating bees have a significantly greater yield and quality of fruit than those which exclude a varied range of native pollinators ( Franceschinelli et al 2013 , Deprá et al 2014 , Santos et al 2014 , Vinícius-Silva et al 2017 , Roubik 2018 ). Again, these studies highlight the importance of maintaining and capitalizing upon a diverse portfolio of pollinators even in the case of a relatively specialized buzz-pollination system.…”

“…Thus, our study joins others emphasizing the importance of pollinator diversity rather than abundance in improving the yield and quality of crops ( Klein et al 2003 , Hoehn et al 2008 , Albrecht et al 2012 , Winfree et al 2018 ). In areas with a rich pollinator diversity, the best and most practical pollinators may be the native assemblages readily available, and efforts should be made to protect and promote them ( Macias-Macias et al 2009 , Franceschinelli et al 2013 ). Evidence from studies in tomatoes ( Kasina 2007 , Macias-Macias et al 2009 , Franceschinelli et al 2013 , Vinícius-Silva et al 2017 , Gaglianone et al 2018 ), blueberries ( Stephen et al 2008 , Tuell et al 2009 , Isaacs and Kirk 2010 , Scott et al 2016 ), and eggplants ( Gemmill-Herren and Ochieng 2008 , Montemor and Malerbo Souza 2009 , Desuó 2014 , Mainali et al 2018 ) suggest that buzz-pollinated crops often benefit from a diversity of buzz-pollinating bees.…”

“…In areas with a rich pollinator diversity, the best and most practical pollinators may be the native assemblages readily available, and efforts should be made to protect and promote them ( Macias-Macias et al 2009 , Franceschinelli et al 2013 ). Evidence from studies in tomatoes ( Kasina 2007 , Macias-Macias et al 2009 , Franceschinelli et al 2013 , Vinícius-Silva et al 2017 , Gaglianone et al 2018 ), blueberries ( Stephen et al 2008 , Tuell et al 2009 , Isaacs and Kirk 2010 , Scott et al 2016 ), and eggplants ( Gemmill-Herren and Ochieng 2008 , Montemor and Malerbo Souza 2009 , Desuó 2014 , Mainali et al 2018 ) suggest that buzz-pollinated crops often benefit from a diversity of buzz-pollinating bees. One reason for this could be that a diversity in size of different buzz-pollinating bee species complements the diversity in flower size found in tomato plants For example, it has been suggested that in some buzz-pollinated flowers, the size matching between the flower’s reproductive organs and bee size can yield increased seed set ( Solis-Montero and Vallejo-Marin 2017 ).…”

Efficiency of using electric toothbrush as an alternative to a tuning fork for artificial buzz pollination is independent of instrument buzzing frequency

“…The flowers are nectar-less, yellow in color and anthers are laterally bound together with pore-like openings at the apical end [25]. Flower agitation either by wind or natural pollinators (bumble bee, sweat bee, carpenter bee) is crucial for pollen removal [26].…”