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Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2004 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 359-362
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2004.359.362
The Role of Honey Bees Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Pollination of Apple
Muhammad Rahim Khan and Muhammad Rafique Khan

Abstract: Five varieties of apple trees were tested against the concentration of honey bees at their blooming stage. Most of the apple varieties require cross-pollination with another compatible variety. The role of honey bees foraging activities in apple fruit production was significantly enhanced. The fruit quality (Fruit size and number of seeds) were also found superior when main commercial varieties were benefited with pollinizers. Closely related pollinizer varieties were less benefited from each other. Bees prefer to work up and down rows rather than across rows. There was a significantly high yield (140-170 kg) in un-caged Starkrimson and Kala kulloo as compared with caged Starkrimson and Kala kullo (35-42 kg). The foraging honey bees and Bumble bees preferentially visit umbels that bear large number of open male phase flower. Individual bees restrict their foraging to limited areas. The inter-planting pollinizer varieties with main commercial old trees can only maximize the fruit setting. Majority of natural pollinators were not found due to the delayed winter during bloom period. Only the honey bees were proved to be the practical pollinators for majority of the apple varieties.

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How to cite this article
Muhammad Rahim Khan and Muhammad Rafique Khan, 2004. The Role of Honey Bees Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Pollination of Apple. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 7: 359-362.

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