Honeybee pollination of lupins (Lupinus albus cv. Hamburg)

Abstract

Mean yields of seed, percentage germination of seed, and mass of 1000 seeds of Lupinus albus cv. Hamburg were significantly greater from plots to which honeybees (Apis mellifera) and larger insects had access than from plots which excluded these insects. Bees collected appreciable quantities of pollen and nectar from the lupin flowers, which enabled them to build up colony populations, store surplus honey and provide some surplus pollen to the beekeeper.No airborne lupin pollen was detected and wind pollination of this species seems to be negligible; but some self-pollination does occur. Bee activity on this species makes bees important agents of pollination of L. albus.