Influence of honey-bees' (Apis mellifera) pollination on parameters of yield of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

The influence of honey-bees' pollination on parameters of yield of the three highbush blueberry varieties 'Bluecrop', 'Reka' and 'Brigitta Blue' was investigated. Four pollination variants were realized: 1. without cage; 2. cage with bees; 3. cage without bees; 4. fine-meshed bag. Total yield, fruit weight, seed production and phenology of the three varieties were examined. An enormously positive influence of honey-bees on yields of 'Bluecrop' and 'Reka' was found: total yield was by 500-560% higher in cages with bees compared to cages without bees. The results of fruit weight and seed production were similarly clear. However, 'Brigitta Blue' hardly responded to different intensities of pollination: regardless of the variant, total yield was extremely low (in cage with bees only 35% of the 'Bluecrop'-yield) and couldn't be improved by intensive pollination. The same applied to number of seeds per fruit. However, the mean fruit weight resembled that of 'Reka', but wasn't influenced by the intensity of pollination, either. 'Bluecrop' lived up to its reputation as most profitable standard grade with highest yields in all variants (3.7aEuro-kg/m(3) bush in cage with bees), highest fruit weight (1.6aEuro-g) and maximum number of seeds per fruit (98). A direct correlation between fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit couldn't be established.