KIWIFRUIT (ACTINIDIA DELICIOSA CHEV.) POLLINATION: HONEY-BEE BEHAVIOUR AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE FRUIT.

A high percentage of large premium quality may be obtained owing to insect pollinators.

Utilization of honey-bees for pollination allows a better control of pollinators in a wineyard.

Honey-bee behaviour and its influence on the kiwifruit is investigated. The timing of pollinator activity on Actinidia flowers has been examined. A sudden decline of honey-bee activity occurs after midday. This behaviour corresponds with the sudden decrease of the relative humidity after sunrise. As honey-bees essentially have contact with the stigmas near the stamens, the stigmas in the middle of the flower are rarely pollinated. We found a linear relation between the diameter of the kiwifruit and the number of seeds in the corresponding carpels.

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