With individual male and female plants, pollinators are crucial to achieve cross pollination and high commercial yields in kiwi orchards. A recent Biobest kiwifruit trial in Greece has shown bumblebee hives can provide effective and reliable pollination – delivering increased yield, fruit uniformity and stable fruit quality.
The trial
This new study set out to evaluate yield increases and fruit quality differences when using bumblebees versus existing natural pollinators. This trial was conducted in an established orchard of the variety Hayward, planted at 670 trees/ha. Bumblebees were introduced to the treatment area at a rate of 3 Multi-hives per hectare, with nets sealing it off from the control area.
Each Biobest Multi-Hive contains three separate bumblebee colonies in a weather-resistant box, delivering at least 6 weeks of reliable pollination activity in outdoor crops. To assess the impact of the bumblebee strategy, fruit samples were collected at three distances from the Multi-Hives - 3m, 11m and 25m – with four trees sampled at each.
7% yield increase
“The bumblebee hives produced a 7% uplift in total yield per hectare, compared to the control area,” says Spiros Kavouras, Global Technical Specialist (IPM & Pollination) at Biobest. “This demonstrates the improved pollination efficiency of bumblebees, ensuring better fruit set and productivity. Typically, in a Hayward kiwi orchard yields average 30t/ha, depending on orchard age, management practices and regional conditions. A 7% increase corresponds to an additional 2.1t/ha - delivering a welcome bonus for growers.”
Boosting marketable fruit proportion
In addition, the results showed the bumblebees had a positive influence on fruit size distribution – boosting the proportion of marketable fruit (95-130g) from 77% with just natural pollination, to 80%.
“Encouragingly, the bumblebees also delivered better fruit uniformity and consistency in fruit grading,” says Spiros. “The average fruit weight was marginally higher at 112g, compared to 109.9g in the control area. The dry matter content remained consistent, indicating no compromise in fruit quality.”
Summing up, Spiros says, “To optimise kiwi production yields, as well as fruit uniformity and quality, we recommend augmenting existing natural pollination methods by introducing 3 bumblebee Multi-Hives per hectare to boost efficiency.”
For more information, please contact your local Biobest advisor.