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Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Honeybee pollination of the apricot cv. Trevatt

DF Langridge and RD Goodman

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 21(109) 241 - 244
Published: 1981

Abstract

The role of honeybees in the pollination of apricots cv. Trevatt was examined in a 2-year study. When trees were enclosed in cages, the percentage of flowers that set fruit, the weight of fruit harvested per tree and the number of fruit per tree were reduced by 43%, 32% and 50%, respectively. Honeybees comprised 97.6% of insects visiting the flowers, and since 84% of the bees counted were pollen gatherers visiting newly opened flowers, they were more significant pollinators than nectar collecting bees. Optimum conditions for opening and dehiscence of anthers were found to occur at temperatures of 20°C or higher and at 70% relative humidity or less. Parthenocarpy was not a significant factor in fruit set and while self-pollination and possibly some airborne pollen account for some fruit set, this cultivar does benefit from pollination by honeybees.

https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9810241

© CSIRO 1981

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