Investigation of the Effect of Honey Bee Pollination for Apple (Malus sylvestris (L.)Mill.) on Fruit Yield, Seed Number and Seed Germination Capacity

Abstract

Apple is a self-incompatible fruit that is completely pollinated by cross pollination. Honey- bees are particularly effective in cross pollination. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pollination of apple by honey bees on the fruit yield. average number of seeds and germination capacity of the seeds. We observed that the average number of flowers in apple branches open to pollination ranged from 10.18 +/- 0.53 to 278.43 +/- 0.73 while the average number of flowers in apple branches close to pollination was between 8.07 +/- 1.19 and 127.05 +/- .057. The average duration of bee stay on apple flowers open to pollination was in the range of 3.66 +/- 0.09 to 8.64 +/- 0.07 seconds. The total number of fruits on the branches that were open to pollination was higher than those of close to pollination. Likewise, the average number of seeds on the branches open to pollination was higher than those of closed to pollination. We also observed that the average germination of seeds obtained from branches open to pollination was higher than the those of close to pollination.