Pollination of mango in the Letsitele Valley during the 1993 flowering season: second report.
Toit A. P. du, Swart D. J.
Author Affiliation: Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 14 : 67-68
Abstract : Twelve beehives were placed in a 14-ha mango (cv. Kent) orchard in the Letsitele Valley, South Africa, in 1993, and foraging honey bees (Apis mellifera) returning to the hives were examined for nectar, pollen and propolis. Pollen foraging rose from 23% (of foragers) in the morning to 50% at noon, declining in the afternoon to 40%. Nectar foraging peaked at 26% in the morning, declining to 13% at 16.00 h. Foragers collecting both pollen and nectar increased from 21% at 08.00 h to 35% at 10.00 h and then declined to 18% at 16.00 h. Up to 10% of bees collected water, but few gathered propolis, and up to 30% of workers (early morning) returned with no loads. It is concluded that the foraging behaviour of honey bees would enhance cross-pollination and the introduction of hives to mango orchards is recommended.ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:Returning honey bee foragers were examined for nectar, water, pollen and bee-glue in a 14-ha mango cv. Kent orchard in the Letsitele Valley. Low frequencies of pollen and nectar foragers indicated low pollen and nectar availability in mango. Despite this, honey bees were observed visiting inflorescences throughout each day of the flowering period.