Sequential introduction of honeybee colonies increases cross-pollination, fruit-set and yield of 'Spadona' pear (Pyrus communis L.)

The 'Spadona' pear exhibits full self-incompatibility, therefore its fruit production depends entirely on cross pollination, especially by honeybees, which are the ultimate pear pollinators. In the present study, the effect on yield of sequential introduction of honeybee colonies and doubling their density was studied. It was found (in three consecutive seasons, 2001-2003) that increasing the density from 2.5 colonies per ha to 5.0 colonies per ha in one introduction at 10% bloom, did not increase bee activity on the trees and did not improve fruit set and yield. However, introducing the colonies sequentially, (1.25 colonies per ha at 10% bloom and 1.25 colonies per ha at full bloom = FB), increased the number of bees per tree and their mobility among the rows, and consequently increased fruit set and yield by 50-80%.