Honeybee pollination of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne)

Abstract

The pollination requirements of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne cv. Tioga) were examined in a planting in southern Victoria. Plots that were accessible to honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) had 20.8% marketable berries (well shaped, > 10 g fresh weight), whereas plots that were not accessible had only 4.5% marketable berries. The total numbers of fruit (marketable and unmarketable) were not affected by the presence of pollinating insects. Honeybees were considered to be the main pollinators of this crop. They comprised 58.9% of insect visitors to the flowers. The behaviour patterns of other insects were such that they would effect little or no pollination. We conclude that the presence of an adequate population of honeybees increases the proportion of well shaped (marketable) berries.