Pollination of Male-sterile Soybeans in Caged Plots
1981
Koelling, P. D. | Kenworthy, W. J. | Caron, D. M.
Seed production on male-sterile soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in cages with honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and alfalfa leafcutting bees [Megachile rotundata (F.)] was compared with plants exposed to native insect populations in open-caged plots and with plants grown in closed cages. All plots consisted of alternate rows of 'Williams' male-sterile plants (ms₂, ms₂) and ‘Calland’ which were covered by cages after flowering commenced. Significant differences were found between treatments for the number of seeds/plant, pods/plant, and seeds/pod. A significant increase in seed production of over 477% was observed on plants in cages containing the bees compared with plants in open or closed cages. No significant differences in seed production were observed between open or closed cages or between the use of honey or alfalfa leafcutting bees as the pollen vector. Honeybees were efficient pollen vectors, but were inconvenient to handle. Leafcutting bees seem to be preferable for mass pollination of male-sterile soybeans in caged studies because of their temperament and ease of handling.
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