Study of the efficiency of creeping clover pollination (Trifolium repens L.) by honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Center of Feed Production and Agroecology named after V.R. Williams” (FRC “VIK n.a. V.R. Williams”) Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production & Agroecology, Lobnya, Russia

^* Corresponding author: vnii.kormov@yandex.ru

Abstract

The creeping clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a natural allotetraploid allogamous species and is characterized by an entomophilic xenogamous pollination method. One of the reasons for the low yield of clover seeds is the insufficient provision of its flowering grass stands with pollinating insects. The main pollinators are representatives of the order of hymenoptera insects (Himenoptera) from the family of true bees (Apidae) – the honey bee Apis mellifera L. and various species of bumblebees (Bombus). Studies have shown that in the conditions of the Central Non-Chernozem region of Russia, the role of bumblebees in the pollination of creeping clover did not exceed 12-13%. In the presence of bumblebees in different growing seasons in the amount of 30-80 to 110-170 indivi-duals/ha during the mass flowering of creeping clover, they -ensured the formation of seed yields of no more than 90 kg/ha. It is established that honey bees perform up to 87-88% of clover pollination. The highest collections of creeping clover seeds are formed at the flight density of bees of 18-21 thousand individuals per hectare. This makes it possible to form a biological clover yield over 720 kg/ha. To ensure such a rich flight of bees, it is necessary to have at least 2-3 strong bee colonies on clover crops.