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.
16 Jan 2025
On 10 January, at the 82nd Cherry Institute in Yakima, Northwest Cherries administrators told growers that the 2024 season was a success in terms of shipments and promotions, a positive point after several difficult years.
Crop protection Tech management
05 Sep 2023
In conclusion, the results indicate that 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare is the best dose to provide adequate nutrition for sour cherry trees. Nitrogen supply increased its presence in leaves, while it decreased phosphorus and potassium concentrations.
08 Apr 2026
A Chilean study evaluates chemical agents and application timing to improve sweet cherry bud break. Results show impacts on uniformity, flowering, and fruit set, offering practical strategies to address reduced winter chill under climate change conditions.
08 Apr 2026
A study conducted in Cadriano, Bologna, investigates shading nets on Sweet Saretta cherry trees, showing improved plant water status, reduced vapor pressure deficit and enhanced physiological efficiency, with direct effects on fruit growth processes and overall quality.
