Author: Chris Branam
Apiculturist Story Source: Ramesh Sagili
CORVALLIS, Ore. — A new study sheds light on the amount and variety of pollen available to honey bee colonies used in five major pollinator-dependent crops in Oregon and California — including California’s massive almond industry.
The collaborative study, led by Oregon State University and Texas A&M University researchers, found that almond, cherry and meadowfoam crops provide abundant pollen. However, highbush blueberry and hybrid carrot seed crops may not meet honey bee nutritional needs. The study was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.
The western honey bee is the primary pollinator for many fruit, nut, vegetable and seed crops that rely on bee pollination to produce high yields and quality. Both pollen abundance and pollen diversity are essential for colony growth and survival, said Ramesh Sagili, corresponding author of the study and associate professor of apiculture and honey bee Extension specialist in Oregon State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
