In the context of sweet cherry orchards, the presence and management of honey and mason bees (Osmia spp.) play a crucial role in ensuring effective pollination. Mason bees, recognised as highly efficient pollinators, can be encouraged to establish and breed in artificial nesting environments. However, the lack of practical management guidelines, including optimal stocking rates for mason bee nesting material and honey bees, poses a possible threat to the continuity of the pollination service.
A recent study conducted in 17 sweet cherry orchards in central Germany examined the relationship between the stocking rates (hives for honey bees and nesting material for mason bees) and the abundance of both types of bees. The investigation also involved a pollination experiment to assess the interaction of mason bees and honey bees on cherry fruit set.
The results showed an increase in the abundance of both honey bees and mason bees in relation to the number of hives or nesting boxes. While the abundance of honey bees showed a linear growth with increasing density, the abundance of mason bees reached a saturation point at 2-3 nesting boxes per hectare. The pollination experiment revealed a pollen-related limitation, with only 28% of the flowers pollinated by the insects producing fruit, compared to 39% obtained with optimal hand pollination.
Furthermore, it was found that both types of bees favoured sweet cherry fruit set, but this benefit was only manifested when they were present at the same time. In other words, the presence of both mason bees and honey bees in the orchard was essential to maximise fruit set.
The provision of nesting material for mason bees and the use of hives for honey bees were identified as key levers for increasing bee abundance in sweet cherry orchards. This has practical implications for farmers wishing to improve fruit set and potentially sweet cherry yields. Increasing the abundance of both types of bees through wise management can be a significant benefit to pollination services.
In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the management of mason bees and honey bees in sweet cherry orchards, offering practical suggestions that could be adopted by farmers to improve fruit production through an optimised pollination service.
For the research data click here
Read the full article: Osterman, J., Benton, F., Hellström, S., Luderer-Pflimpfl, M., Pöpel-Eisenbrandt, A.-K., Wild, B. S., Theodorou, P., Ulbricht, C., & Paxton, R. J, (2023). Flower visitors and fruit set of sweet cherry in Germany, Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3xsj3txn0.
07 Mar 2024
Using 116 sweet cherry accessions, researchers analysed 23 agronomic fruit quality traits. The research uses genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to identify genetic markers associated with improved fruit quality.
30 Apr 2025
Spanish greenhouse cherry volumes grow in week 17 of 2025, leading to lower prices but strong international demand, especially to the Middle East and Scandinavia, driven by premium packaging, ideal growing climate and exceptional fruit quality.
05 Jun 2025
Aerial roots help plants adapt to waterlogging stress. Chinese researchers explore the ‘Gotenba zakura’ cherry tree as a rootstock to improve sour cherry resilience to heavy summer rains in northern China. A promising breakthrough for fruit sustainability.
05 Jun 2025
In Niagara County, Tim Buhr grows sweet cherries with high-density systems, VOEN covers and Cornell varieties. Thanks to Gisela rootstocks and targeted agronomic practices, he faces New York’s humid climate focusing on fruit quality, high yields and local market demand.
