A recent study published by the Regional Ecology Institute (IER) provides crucial insights into pollination management for enhancing blueberry production. Through experiments and observational data, researchers identified optimal pollen deposition thresholds on flower stigmas resulting in larger fruit diameter. They found that optimal pollen deposition ranges between 112 and 274 pollen grains, with an average of six to seven honeybee visits per flower during the maximum period of receptivity required for optimal pollination.
This study offers a pragmatic basis for adaptive bee management based on optimal pollination thresholds, which can significantly boost highbush blueberry productivity. By identifying these thresholds, harmful pollination scenarios can be prevented, and the quality and quantity of blueberry fruits produced can be optimized.
