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Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson: An Alternative Pollinator for Meadowfoam, in Cages
Author(s) -
Jahns T. R.,
Jolliff G. D.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1991.0011183x003100050038x
Subject(s) - pollinator , biology , honey bee , horticulture , botany , pollination , pollen
Meadowfoam ( Limnanthes alba Hartweg ex Benth. cv. Mermaid) is an entomophilous winter‐annual oilseed crop with an unstable seed yield history. A 2‐yr study was undertaken to test the efficacy of adult, female Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson bees as meadow‐foam pollinators. Ten, 35, and 60 of these bees were compared with a 4000 honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) standard, and a 4000 honey bee + 35 O. lignaria propinqua bee treatment. Cages were used to isolate treatments. A noncaged treatment, containing eight honey bee colonies per hectare, served as the control. No significant seeds per flower differences on individually spaced plants were found among any of the caged pollinator treatments in 1986 or 1987. Sixty O. lignaria propinqua bees produced similar solid stand yields to all caged honey bee treatments in both years. No significant differences in seed‐oil content existed between any of the caged pollinator treatments in either year. While >60 O. lignaria propinqua bees may be required to maximize meadowfoam seed set in cages, O. lignarla propinqua showed potential as an alternative pollinator of meadowfoam.