PollinationPollination

PollinationPollination

Important TermsImportant Terms

Pollination – transfer of pollenPollination – transfer of pollen

– Self or crossSelf or cross Fertilization – union of Fertilization – union of ♂ & ♀♂ & ♀

(ovule) nuclei(ovule) nuclei Fruiting – development of Fruiting – development of

fleshy part around zygotefleshy part around zygote Seed dispersal – distribution Seed dispersal – distribution

of mature seeds from parentof mature seeds from parent

Flower AnatomyFlower Anatomy

petals sepals

Pollination=Pollen transfer

Fertilization = nuclei union

stigma

style

Connor photo

Flower variationFlower variation

Flowers may have pollen Flowers may have pollen – Ripening w/ ovules or beforeRipening w/ ovules or before– On anthers below flowers or outsideOn anthers below flowers or outside

Flowers may be staminate (pollen only) orFlowers may be staminate (pollen only) or pistillate (ovule but no pollen)pistillate (ovule but no pollen)

Plants may be monoecious (2 flower types)Plants may be monoecious (2 flower types)– Corn (tassel at top = pollen; silk at ear =stigma)Corn (tassel at top = pollen; silk at ear =stigma)

Plants may be dioecious (Plants may be dioecious (♀& ♂ plants)♀& ♂ plants)– Holly trees may have berries (♀) or pollen flowers (♂)Holly trees may have berries (♀) or pollen flowers (♂)

PollinatorsPollinators

WindWind WaterWater AnimalsAnimals

– insectsinsects birdsbirds– mammalsmammals monkeysmonkeys– spidersspiders batsbats– kangarooskangaroos mitesmites– humanshumans– + others+ others

Human as pollinatorsHuman as pollinators Hand applied pollenHand applied pollen

– dates (since agriculture began)dates (since agriculture began)– vanillavanilla

Greenhouses Greenhouses (using vibrating toothbrushes)(using vibrating toothbrushes)

Apply temporary aidsApply temporary aids– pollen insertspollen inserts– bouquetsbouquets

No ‘solution-in-a-bottle’ yetNo ‘solution-in-a-bottle’ yet

Insect PollinationInsect Pollination

antsants flies/midgesflies/midges aphidsaphids mosquitoesmosquitoes beetlesbeetles mothsmoths butterfliesbutterflies thripsthrips beesbees waspswasps + many others+ many others

The Big 3 underlined

Insect-pollinated FlowersInsect-pollinated Flowers Produce lots of pollenProduce lots of pollen Secrete sweet smelling, sugary nectarSecrete sweet smelling, sugary nectar Come in colorsCome in colors Grow at conspicuous locations on plantGrow at conspicuous locations on plant Feature broken patternsFeature broken patterns Wave in the windWave in the wind

Bee PollinationBee Pollination

Bumble Bee Honey Bee Alkali Bee Leafcutting Bee

4 widely used bees in commercial pollination

ALSO: BOB (blue orchard bee); hornfaced bee, carpenter bee; pollen bees

Managing Colonies for PollinationManaging Colonies for Pollination

QueenrightQueenright Forager bee strongForager bee strong Expanding brood Expanding brood

populationpopulation Limited super spaceLimited super space Minimum strengthMinimum strength No swarmingNo swarming Dry & in sunDry & in sun Distributed in cropDistributed in crop Moved in & out promptlyMoved in & out promptly

How many?How many?

Varies w/ cropVaries w/ crop Varies w/ beekeeperVaries w/ beekeeper 75%+ col minimum strength75%+ col minimum strength

– For example cucumber in eastern US For example cucumber in eastern US 1 col for every 3-4 acres (small fields near woods)1 col for every 3-4 acres (small fields near woods) 1-3 col/acre (larger fields in agricultural area)1-3 col/acre (larger fields in agricultural area) 2 col/acre (high density)2 col/acre (high density) 1 bee/100 flowers1 bee/100 flowers 1 col/50,000 plants (w/ appropriate 1 col/50,000 plants (w/ appropriate ♂/♀ ratio)♂/♀ ratio)

Pollination ContractsPollination Contracts

Number & Number & strength of coloniesstrength of colonies Plan of colony distributionPlan of colony distribution Time of delivery and removalTime of delivery and removal Beekeepers right of entryBeekeepers right of entry Degree of protection from Degree of protection from

pesticidespesticides Plan for payment(s)Plan for payment(s) Penalities for poor Penalities for poor

colonies/servicecolonies/service Bonus for excellent serviceBonus for excellent service

PollinationPollination

4 “major” crops4 “major” crops– Alfalfa seedAlfalfa seed– AlmondAlmond– Fruits apples, berries, etc)Fruits apples, berries, etc)– Vegetables (+ seeds)Vegetables (+ seeds)

Over 90 cropsOver 90 crops Value . $14 billion annuallyValue . $14 billion annually 1/31/3rdrd of our diet from bee pollinated crops of our diet from bee pollinated crops Increasing, not diminishing, demandIncreasing, not diminishing, demand

Fruit treesFruit trees

Traditional rental incomeTraditional rental income– PearsPears– ApplesApples– CherriesCherries– othersothers

Early bloom in season – set of ‘king’ bloomEarly bloom in season – set of ‘king’ bloom Bees often insurance for bad weather yearBees often insurance for bad weather year Other fruit major nectar sourceOther fruit major nectar source

– citruscitrus

PollinationPollination

Poor Pollination

Desired Pollination

References:References:Images:Images:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3573675917_ace3fc0e28.jpg?v=0

http://www.bio.miami.edu/muchhala/Bat-Flower%20Photos/A_geo_Meriania.jpg

http://williamthecoroner.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/bumblebee-onpavement.jpg

http://sarahmeyerwalsh.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/honeybee.jpghttp:/

www.everythingabout.net/articles/biology/animals/arthropods/insects/bees/leafcutting_bee/

http://www.jimirving.com/images/galleries/beeboxes-3.jpg

http://www.biology-blog.com/images/blogs/10-2006/Pollinator-2-Raspberry.jpg

http://biology.unm.edu/ccouncil/Biology_203/Images/FloweringPlants/Angiolifecycle.jpeg

http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pi/images/bee.jpg

http://www.plantstogrow.com/botany/fact_pages/images_2/anther-02crcm.jpghttp://www.plantstogrow.com/botany/fact_pages/images_2/anther-02crcm.jpg

http://www.northernimages.com/photos/242820235_n5tsi-M.jpghttp://www.northernimages.com/photos/242820235_n5tsi-M.jpg

http://208.113.167.239/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/bee-cherry-blossoms.jpghttp://208.113.167.239/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/bee-cherry-blossoms.jpg

http://www.ojibway.ca/p_leucop.jpghttp://www.ojibway.ca/p_leucop.jpg

http://illinois.sierraclub.org/calumet/Species/GrassPinkOrchid.jpghttp://illinois.sierraclub.org/calumet/Species/GrassPinkOrchid.jpg

www.gettyimages.comwww.gettyimages.com