Pollination deficits in UK apple orchards

Michael Paul Douglas Garratt; Louise Truslove; Duncan Coston; Rebecca Evans; Ellen Moss; Cassie Dodson; Nigel Jenner; Jacobus Biesmeijer; Simon Potts

doi:10.26786/1920-7603(2014)8

Authors

Michael Paul Douglas Garratt Centre for Agri-Environment Research, University of Reading
Louise Truslove Centre for Agri-Environment Research, University of Reading
Duncan Coston Centre for Agri-Environment Research, University of Reading
Rebecca Evans Centre for Agri-Environment Research, University of Reading
Ellen Moss Centre for Agri-Environment Research, University of Reading
Cassie Dodson Centre for Agri-Environment Research, University of Reading
Nigel Jenner Norman Collett English Fruit Marketing, Norman Collett House, Kent, UK
Jacobus Biesmeijer Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, 2300 RA, Leiden, Netherlands
Simon Potts Centre for Agri-Environment Research, University of Reading

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26786/1920-7603(2014)8

Abstract

Apple production in the UK is worth over £100 million per annum and this production is heavily dependent on insect pollination. Despite its importance, it is not clear which insect pollinators carry out the majority of this pollination. Furthermore, it is unknown whether current UK apple production, in terms of both yield and quality, suffers pollination deficits and whether production value could be increased through effective management of pollination services. The present study set out to address some of these unknowns and showed that solitary bee activity is high in orchards and that they could be making a valuable contribution to pollination. Furthermore, fruit set and apple seed number were found to be suffering potential pollination deficits although these were not reflected in apple quality. Deficits could be addressed through orchard management practices to improve the abundance and diversity of wild pollinators. Such practices include provision of additional floral resources and nesting habitats as well as preservation of semi-natural areas. The cost effectiveness of such strategies would need to be understood taking into account the potential gains to the apple industry.