ISHS Acta Horticulturae 514: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 4: Culture Techniques with Special Emphasis on Environmental Implications
EFFECTIVENESS OF BUMBLE BEES AS POLLINATORS FOR EGGPLANTS GROWN IN UNHEATED GREENHOUSES |
| Authors: | K. Abak, A.O. Özdogan, H.Y. Dasgan, K. Derin, O. Kaftanoglu |
| Keywords: | Bombus terrestris, Solanum melongena, pollination, yield, fruit size |
| Abstract:
During 4 years (1994–1998) the pollination efficiency of bumblebees and vibration were compared on eggplants grown in unheated plastic houses. Munica and Faselis eggplant varieties were used as plant materials. Bumblebees activity increased between 9:00 and 11:00 am, the peek activity was observed between 10:00 and 11:00 am then decreases gradually and they stopped between 13:00 and 14:00 pm. They started foraging again in the afternoon between 15:00 and 18:00 pm. During higher activity of the day, 70–80 % of the bumblebees were foraging and each bees were visiting 3–7 flowers. Bumblebee pollination yielded higher (25%) than vibration. Fruit size (14% in weight and 7% in length) and number of seeds per fruit were higher (4 times) in bumblebee pollinated fruits than vibration ones. | |
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