YIELD OF SELECTED APPLE CULTIVARS AS AFFECTED BY THE DURATION OF BEE POLLINATION

摘要

Ten farm experiments were conducted in 1987 and 1988 with five apple cultivars. Bee pollination was limited by caging branches for variable lengths during the blossom period. Intensity of bee visitation was observed and yield was measured. Reduction of effective period of bee pollination greatly reduced the yield. Intensity and/or limitation of bee pollination does not have a significant effect on fruit quality. Similarly, it has been established that the widely accepted tenet "the greater the number of fruits the smaller the size and weight of apple" has not been fully validated at the branch level under the conditions of intensive bee pollination. No effect was found on the size of apple when an acceptable yield (10 or more spples from 200 flowers) occurred on branches receiving intensive bee visitation for different duration's for cvs Idared, Jonnee and Starkrimson Delicious.