Bjørn Arild Hatteland

Research Scientist

(+47) 404 79 306
bjorn.hatteland@nibio.no

Place
Bergen

Visiting address
Thormøhlensgate 55, 5006 Bergen

To document

Abstract

Apples are dependent upon pollinators for the transfer of pollen between cultivars to ensure high quality fruit production. Agricultural intensification has reduced the availability of stable floral resources for wild bees, leading to widespread declines of important pollinators of apples. Managed honeybees are commonly used to supplement pollination services in apple orchards, but honeybees are less efficient pollinators compared to wild bees. We investigated whether increased flower abundance in the understory vegetation of apple orchards can increase pollinator activity to apple flowers. We compared bee visitation in five orchards in Eastern Norway: three unmowed orchards, and two mowed orchards. In unmowed orchards, dandelions ( Taraxacum spp.) dominated the understory vegetation. Bee observations were conducted on the understory vegetation and apple trees, via manual observations and time-lapse cameras. Wild bees preferentially visited apple flowers over dandelions, while honeybees did not differ in their visits to apple flowers and dandelion flowers. We also found that the abundance of dandelion flowers in the understory increased visits by wild bees to apple flowers. Taken together, this suggests that within orchard floral resources do not compete for pollinators but instead increase apple visitation and improve pollination success. Our results highlight the importance of managing apple orchards for wild bee populations and the potential short-term benefits of understory floral resources on apple production. Implications for insect conservation Our results show that understory vegetation should be left unmowed to increase pollination of apple flowers and provide pollinators with alternate floral resources before, during, and after apple flowering.

Abstract

Et bærekraftig jordbruk må bevare naturens evne til å levere økosystemtjenester. Samtidig har en rekke studier dokumentert en global nedgang i insektbestander, noe som truer viktige økosystemtjenester som insektpollinering og biologisk kontroll av skadedyr med naturlige fiender. I Norge er det insekter som bier, fluer, marihøner, gulløyer og snyltevepser som bidrar med disse økosystemtjenestene. Det nye rammeverket Integrert plante- og pollinatorvern (IPPV) har som målsetting å samordne tiltak som styrker både biologisk kontroll av skadedyr med naturlige fiender og insektpollinering i matproduksjonen. I IPPV iverksettes det forebyggende tiltak som over tid øker mangfoldet av ressurser for ulike typer av insekter i kulturlandskapet med mål om å gi en mer stabil levering av økosystemtjenester til produksjonen i åkeren. I denne rapporten vurderer vi relevansen av IPPV rammeverket for norske matproduksjonssystemer og undersøker hvordan eksisterende tiltak og kartlag kan utnyttes i implementeringen av IPPV i norsk jordbruksforvaltning. Vi gir noen anbefalinger til hvordan rammeverket og konkrete tiltak kan iverksettes i norsk jordbruk. Den helhetlige tilnærmingen IPPV har for å sikre økosystemer og arter er viktig for jordbrukets bærekraft og matsikkerheten.

LOGO_tittel

Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health

IPM-fruit: IPM strategies for future fruit production


IPM fruit will investigate how preventive and alternative control measures can be used for sustainable fruit production. The project will study how natural enemies, physical control, and biologicals as well as combinations of these can be best applied under Norwegian conditions. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), the Norwegian advisory service (NLR), NIAB East Malling (UK), IRTA (Sapin), and also in close collaboration with fruit growers.

Active Updated: 02.12.2025
End: nov 2027
Start: dec 2023