Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) increase yields of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) in New South Wales while maintaining adequate protein requirements from faba bean pollen

Abstract

Summary. A trial was conducted to measure the impact of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) yields and to determine the value of the crop to honeybees.

The seed yield in cages with bees was 25% higher than in those without bees. The pollen harvested by honey bees from the faba beans met their nutritional requirements for protein and amino acids but there was no detectable nectar crop gathered from the faba beans. Thus, there seems to be a strong case for using managed honey bees to improve pollination and hence yields of Australian faba beans where feral bee populations maybe insufficient.