Tunç DABAK, Çiğdem ÖZENİRLER

Using Commercial Bumblebees in The Pollination of Field Grown Tomatoes A Case Study: “Caged Tomatoes in Open Fields”

There are many disquisitions that points out the efficiency of bumblebees in the production of Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato). Tomato flowers do not produce nectar and also releasing pollen from the poricidal anthers can be possible if only the bees use buzzing behavior. Although the plant is not an attractive source for the bees, thanks to greenhouse technologies, we can use bumblebees to pollinate tomatoes. In this study, our aim was to create a simple pollination cage for field grown tomatoes and evaluate foraging behaviors of commercial bumblebees in this cage. Within this scope, the pollen storages of the hive were evaluated. The weather conditions in the microhabitats (inside the hive, inside the cage, outside of the cage and 15 meters far from field) were compared to see if the cage material changes temperature and/or humidity. Yield analyses were applied both in open field and caged tomatoes. Solanum lycopersicum L. plant is preferred by bumble bees unless there is a more attractive plant around. The temperature values were found significantly different whereas humidity values were not. As a result of the study, total tomato production and the numbers of seeds were increased with the pollination of bees. We can claim that pollination cages are also usable for the entomophilous plants production and can be alternative systems for non-heating green houses.

Keywords:

Solanum lycopersicum L., bumblebees, pollination, open field cage, pollen analysis,

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