1) Native bees were surveyed at 4 apple orchards in northern Georgia throughout the 2010 growing season to document species diversity and abundance. A total of 1817 native bees from 128 species were identified.
2) The most abundant native bee species was Andrena crataegi, which comprised 31% of all bees collected. Several other common species included Andrena perplexa, Lasioglossum imitatum, L. pilosum, and Xylocopa virginica.
3) Andrena crataegi was identified as the best potential native pollinator for apple orchards in northern Georgia due to its high abundance, wide distribution in the region, and life history traits.
Behavior of Bees Associated with the Wild Blueberry Agro-ecosystem in the USAPremier Publishers
Greenhouse and field studies were conducted between 1996 and 2014 in Maine to assess the behavior of selected bee taxa that visit wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium (Ericaceae) Aiton. Some of my findings are as follows. When individual foraging efficiency was assessed on wild blueberry for four common bee pollinators, bumble bees were most efficient and honey bees were the least efficient in terms of the number of pollen grains deposited on a stigma in a single visit (P< 0.0001). However, I also found that the prior bumble bee visitation to flowers enhanced the pollination efficacy of honey bees. Field observations suggested that bumble bees recruit to plants with higher floral density and that bumble bees and andrenids forage for longer periods of time in the day than sweat bees and Osmia leaf cutting bees; honey bees showed intermediate foraging durations. Honey bees and solitary native bees were found to forage at an increasing rate with increasing air temperature, while bumble bee queens tended to forage independently of air temperature. Foraging patterns among the following bee taxa such as bumble bees, andrenids, megachilids, and honey bees also varied and the implications of these differing foraging patterns relative to pollination are discussed.
Evaluating the Response Of Maize (Zea Mays L.), Varieties To Plant Population...paperpublications3
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during 2011 small rainy season (Belg) at Elefeta Farmer Training Center (FTC), in west Badewacho Woreda, Hadiya Zone, with the objectives to determine the optimum proportion of maize-haricot bean intercropping for maximum productivity and economic benefit; evaluate the performance of different maize varieties intercropped with haricot bean; identify the optimum haricot bean population density of intercropped with different maize varieties; and Estimate economic benefits of maize haricot bean intercropping. Three varieties of maize (PHB3253 Jabi, PHB30G19 Shone and Local) were planted intercropped with four haricot bean population densities (D1 = 62,500; D2 = 125,000; D3 = 187500; D4 = 250,000) arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. In this study, sole cropped maize’s varieties gave significantly (P<0.05)><0.05)> with 100 % haricot bean population density is recommended for intercropping for their better compatibility and economic benefit with haricot bean as compared to other varieties and population densities in the study area.
This document summarizes a study on the survival, growth, and reproductive biology of Allanblackia parviflora, an indigenous fruit tree species in Ghana. Six years after establishing a genebank with 406 seedlings from 8 populations across 3 provenances, the mean survival rate was found to be 73.65%. There were no significant differences in tree height, diameter, or volume among populations or provenances. A positive correlation was found between tree volume and number of fruits produced. The study provides useful information for the domestication and development of A. parviflora.
Plant genetic resources are the raw materials for crop improvement programs. They include native landraces, local selections, elite cultivars, and wild relatives of crop plants. These genetic resources are important for developing new crop varieties with increased production. Their conservation is threatened by genetic erosion, vulnerability, and wipeout due to increasing human population and demands. Various methods are used to conserve plant genetic resources, including in situ and ex situ conservation. In situ conservation protects resources in their natural habitats, while ex situ conservation stores resources outside their natural habitats in gene banks and botanical gardens. Proper conservation of plant genetic resources is vital for fulfilling human needs and supporting crop improvement programs.
Behavior of Bees Associated with the Wild Blueberry Agro-ecosystem in the USAPremier Publishers
Greenhouse and field studies were conducted between 1996 and 2014 in Maine to assess the behavior of selected bee taxa that visit wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium (Ericaceae) Aiton. Some of my findings are as follows. When individual foraging efficiency was assessed on wild blueberry for four common bee pollinators, bumble bees were most efficient and honey bees were the least efficient in terms of the number of pollen grains deposited on a stigma in a single visit (P< 0.0001). However, I also found that the prior bumble bee visitation to flowers enhanced the pollination efficacy of honey bees. Field observations suggested that bumble bees recruit to plants with higher floral density and that bumble bees and andrenids forage for longer periods of time in the day than sweat bees and Osmia leaf cutting bees; honey bees showed intermediate foraging durations. Honey bees and solitary native bees were found to forage at an increasing rate with increasing air temperature, while bumble bee queens tended to forage independently of air temperature. Foraging patterns among the following bee taxa such as bumble bees, andrenids, megachilids, and honey bees also varied and the implications of these differing foraging patterns relative to pollination are discussed.
Evaluating the Response Of Maize (Zea Mays L.), Varieties To Plant Population...paperpublications3
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during 2011 small rainy season (Belg) at Elefeta Farmer Training Center (FTC), in west Badewacho Woreda, Hadiya Zone, with the objectives to determine the optimum proportion of maize-haricot bean intercropping for maximum productivity and economic benefit; evaluate the performance of different maize varieties intercropped with haricot bean; identify the optimum haricot bean population density of intercropped with different maize varieties; and Estimate economic benefits of maize haricot bean intercropping. Three varieties of maize (PHB3253 Jabi, PHB30G19 Shone and Local) were planted intercropped with four haricot bean population densities (D1 = 62,500; D2 = 125,000; D3 = 187500; D4 = 250,000) arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. In this study, sole cropped maize’s varieties gave significantly (P<0.05)><0.05)> with 100 % haricot bean population density is recommended for intercropping for their better compatibility and economic benefit with haricot bean as compared to other varieties and population densities in the study area.
This document summarizes a study on the survival, growth, and reproductive biology of Allanblackia parviflora, an indigenous fruit tree species in Ghana. Six years after establishing a genebank with 406 seedlings from 8 populations across 3 provenances, the mean survival rate was found to be 73.65%. There were no significant differences in tree height, diameter, or volume among populations or provenances. A positive correlation was found between tree volume and number of fruits produced. The study provides useful information for the domestication and development of A. parviflora.
Plant genetic resources are the raw materials for crop improvement programs. They include native landraces, local selections, elite cultivars, and wild relatives of crop plants. These genetic resources are important for developing new crop varieties with increased production. Their conservation is threatened by genetic erosion, vulnerability, and wipeout due to increasing human population and demands. Various methods are used to conserve plant genetic resources, including in situ and ex situ conservation. In situ conservation protects resources in their natural habitats, while ex situ conservation stores resources outside their natural habitats in gene banks and botanical gardens. Proper conservation of plant genetic resources is vital for fulfilling human needs and supporting crop improvement programs.
Stimating long-term forage production using precipitation pattern in Dehshir ...Innspub Net
Knowledge on changes of the factors affecting range forage production is the main prerequisite for understanding the processes and optimal management of rangelands. In this research, the effects of precipitation variables, were studied on long-term forage production of somedominant range species, in Dehshirrangelands, Yazd province, during 9 years (2004 to 2012). Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between annual production and different precipitation pattern. According to the results, rainfall of past year in addition to rainfall of growing season has the greatest impact on forage production in site of Dehshir. Plant with platability class (I) and platability class (III) correlated with previous rainfall, respectively (r2 = 0.9 & 0.88), andplatability class (II) with growing season rainfall (r2 = 0.7o). Long- term production is estimated at 243.15 (kg/ha).
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is grown for grain and stover in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and the Indian sub-continent. In Eritrea, pearl millet is the second most important cereal in the country after sorghum and is grown by smallholder farmers on over 80,000 hectares, mainly in lowland and middle elevation regions. With no improved cultivars available until very recently, farmers grow exclusively traditional landraces, which have many preferred traits and a modest grain yield potential, but are generally susceptible to downy mildew.
Germplasm conservation refers to maintaining plant genetic material, such as seeds or living plants, in a way that minimizes the risk of loss. This allows the material to be used in the future if needed. There are two main approaches: in-situ conservation keeps germplasm in its natural habitat through methods like biosphere reserves and national parks, while ex-situ conservation stores germplasm outside its natural habitat using techniques like seed banks, field gene banks, and botanical gardens. The goal of both is to preserve genetic diversity and protect endangered plant species and economically important varieties.
The ICRISAT Genebank was established in 1979 to conserve the genetic resources of important crops in its mandate, including sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut. It works to assemble, conserve, maintain, characterize, evaluate, document, and distribute these resources to combat threats from new pests, diseases, and climate change which are reducing genetic diversity. Over 7 million plant accessions are conserved globally in genebanks, including over 740,000 in CGIAR collections and materials from over 3,300 species in the ICRISAT bank, representing 2% of the mandate crops held there.
STUDY OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND YIELD ATRIBUTING CHARACTERS IN INDIGENOUS RICE (OR...Vipin Pandey
The present study was carried out to study ninety four rice accessions, along with checks, on the basis of sixteen
qualitative and twenty quantitative characters. Analysis of variance for quantitative characters showed differences for
different characters. High coefficient of variation in the entire genotypes was observed for grain yield per plant (27.4 %),
number of effective tillers per plant (22.37 %), test weight (21.14 %) and kernel length breadth ratio (20.59 %).
Correlation analysis revealed positive and highly significant correlation of total number of filled grains per panicle, total
number of grains per panicle, plant height and number of effective tiller per plant; harvest index, test weight, flag leaf
length and days to maturity had positive highly significant correlation with grain yield per plant. Principal Component
Analysis revealed, out of 20, only seven principal components (PCs) exhibited more than 1.00 eigen value, and showed
about 77.42 % variability among the traits studied. So, these 7 PCs were given due importance for further explanation.
Component matrix revealed that the PC1 was mostly related to quality characters while PC2, PC3, PC4, PC5, PC6 and
PC7 mostly associated with yield related traits. Cluster analysis performed by UPGMA method using Euclidean distance
as dissimilarity measure divided the 97 genotypes of rice into ten clusters. The cluster III constituted of 48 genotypes,
forming the largest cluster followed by cluster VI (22 genotypes), cluster V (10 genotypes), cluster II (5 genotypes) and
cluster VIII (4 genotypes), cluster I, IV and VII (two genotypes each), cluster IX and X had (only one genotypes each).
Quality analysis performed for 97 rice genotypes revealed wide range of genetic variability for most of the quality traits.
Jakarta Crown Eco Management: On World Environment Day and Every Day, the Str...Michael Swiss
Being surrounded by ginseng--a low-growing green-leafed herb of North American forests--may have been common in 1751, but today? Ginseng is under siege.
Biologist James McGraw of West Virginia University should know. Today on World Environment Day, and indeed every day, McGraw says that we can learn much about the environment around us from one small plant.
Funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Long Term Research in Environmental Biology (LTREB) grant, McGraw and colleagues peer into the lives of more than 4,000 individual ginseng plants each year to see how they're faring.
"These understory plants are subject to all manner of [environmental] stresses," says McGraw. "After a while, you begin to wonder why there are any left."
Methodological approach to indigenous fruit trees breeding: case of Dacryodes...Innspub Net
This document summarizes a study on breeding methods for the indigenous fruit tree Dacryodes edulis in Cameroon. Controlled cross-pollination tests were conducted on 14 female D. edulis trees using pollen from 6 male parents, examining the influence of male parent provenance and pollen type on fruit set. The results showed the fruiting index, which determines yield, was significantly affected by the combined factors of male parent provenance, pollen type, and female parent. Six combinations with high fruit set and fruiting index were identified as potential candidates for further breeding from the Boumnyebel and Makenene provenances. Progeny from these crosses will be evaluated in future trials to
Intercropping of Maize(Zea mays L.) with Spear mint(Mentha spicata L.) as Sup...paperpublications3
Abstract: Field experiment was conducted in 2011 up to 2013 cropping season to investigate maize based farming system by inclusion of spearmint. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications.The result showed that sole planting of spearmint gave significantly higher essential oil yield, leaf fresh weight, above ground biomass than planting as intercropped with maize. However, intercropping didn’t show significant variation on plant height, shelling percentage and grain yield of the main crop. Land equivalent ratio (LER) indicated yield advantages for all intercrop combinations, especially at 42cm inter row spacing of spearmint intercropped with maize followed by 36cm inter row spacing of spearmint intercropped with maize. Similarly, Maize intercrop with spearmint at 42cm inter row spacing of spearmint gave higher monetary advantage index (41747) followed by 36cm inter row spacing of spearmint intercropped with maize (37496) than planted at sole. This indicate that intercropping maize at 42cm inter row spacing of spearmint followed by 36cm inter row spacing of spearmint is biologically efficient, economically feasible and more profitable than planting alone.
Keywords: Intercropping, Land Equivalent Ratio, Mentha spicata, Monetary Advantage, Supplementary, Zea mays
Neolamarckia cadamba, or Kadamba tree, is a large evergreen tree native to South and Southeast Asia. It is considered sacred in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The tree has red to orange flowers and produces seeds dispersed by wind. It grows well in tropical forests and tolerates a variety of soil and moisture conditions. Kadamba wood is used for construction, furniture, and paper products. The tree's flowers are used in perfumes and its bark and leaves have medicinal purposes. It is considered a miracle tree in some traditions due to its associations with Lord Krishna and ability to reunite lovers.
1) Five yeast species were isolated and identified from coffee waste collected in Ethiopia using morphological characterization and Biolog microstation analysis.
2) The identified species were Hanseiaspora valbyensis, Hyphopichia burtonii A, Rhodotorula hylophila, Rhodotrula aurantiaca A, and Pichia amenthionina var. menthionina.
3) The yeast species were further characterized based on their ability to assimilate and oxidize different carbon sources using Biolog microplate assays.
Non-timber forest products and conservation: what prospects?CIFOR-ICRAF
Non-timber forest products have been hailed as a ‘silver bullet’ for sustainable development and forest conservation, because of the significance of forest products as both food and income for rural dwellers, but evidence from this presentation’s core study suggests that harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is failing to meet goals for combining conservation and poverty alleviation. NTFPs can have a role in rural livelihoods, especially through multiple-use sustainable forestry projects, but these require long-term investments and complex co-management approaches. CIFOR scientist Terry Sunderland gave this presentation at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, held in Bonito, Brazil on 19 June 2012.
The indispensable bond between mazri palm (nannorrhops ritchiana) and the ind...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Keeping in mind the economic importance of this palm, the Government of Pakistan passed an act on the conservation of Nannorrhops namely “Kohat Mazri Control Act 1953” (http://kp.gov.pk/page/the-kohat -mazri -contr olact-
1953/page-type/rules ) in 1953 where laws and rules were devised for the conservation of Nannorrhops in Pakistan in general and for the Kohat Division in particular (which then
covered the whole southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Regionally, it has been categorized as Endangered (EN) under the IUCN criteria. Murad et al. (2011) reported that in the Hazar
Nao Forest of Malakand Nannorrhops ritchiana is on the verge of extinction due to over exploitation by the local population for commercial purposes.
A presentation of the head of the National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources: Polish Genebank concerning plant genetic resources conservation in Poland.
Participatory variety selection of Faba Bean for yield components and yield a...Premier Publishers
Faba bean is one the major highland grain food legumes contributing an enormous amount of protein to the human diet in Ethiopia. Though a lot of improved varieties were released by research centers farmers depend on low yield and local varieties. Participatory variety selection is one of the methods used to evaluate varieties through involvement of users. The participatory faba bean variety selection was conducted during 2014 cropping season at Chiro and Gemachis districts on two farmers training center and three farmers field. Eight released varieties with one local check were laid out in Randomized complete block design in three replications on Farmers training center and single plot on farmer’s field. Agronomic and farmer selection data were collected and analyzed. From all the tested varieties, variety Hachalu was superior in grain yield (1437 kg ha-1) and ( 808 kg ha-1) while Wayu variety was yielded (719 kg ha-1) and 796 (kg ha-1) at Chiro and Gamachis respectively. The lowest grain yield was obtained from Obse (215 kg ha-1) variety at Chiro and Local variety (581 kg ha-1) at Gemachis respectively. In case of farmer preference Hachalu score higher mean value (3.8) followed by Tumsa (3.6) and least mean value was recorded from variety local (2.2). Therefore, the varieties selected by researcher and farmer data Hachalu, Wayu and Tumsa were recommended for further production in these areas.
Groundnut is an important oil seed crop, grown throughout the tropics and sub tropics worldwide. It is one of the three economically important oilseed crops grown in Ethiopia. Groundnut is commonly produced by small scale farmers as food and cash crops in the study area. The area has potential to the production of Ground nut for food and nutrition security as well as export commodity. However, scarcity of varieties that fit to the environment is one of the major constraints of production. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate five Ground nut varieties and select early maturing varieties with considerable yield and agronomic traits. The field experiment was conducted in 2017 and 2018 at Abaya and varieties were planted in Randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data were collected on yield and important agronomic traits. The computed analysis of variance revealed significant variations among varieties for days to maturity, number of primary branches, number of pegs per plants, Grain yield and shelling percentage. The pooled over year mean of varieties indicated , Tole- 1 variety ( Check) is high yielding with mean grain yield of 4174.7kg followed by variety Sedi (3552.5kg/ha) and Babile local (3550.4kg/ha).Variety Sedi has special merit in terms of earliness and therefore recommended for moisture stress areas of Abaya and location with similar agro ecologies while Tole -1 (Standard check) is high yielding varieties and should be used in production until new varieties will be developed through selection/breeding program.
This document provides an overview of peanuts including their history, uses, growth habits, and environmental requirements. Key points include:
- Peanuts originated in South America and are now grown worldwide, with top producers being India, China, and the US.
- Peanuts are used for food products like peanut butter as well as non-food uses like soaps, medicines, and livestock feed.
- Peanuts are a self-pollinating annual plant that develops underground pods. They require warm temperatures and moderate rainfall to mature in 100-150 days.
- Optimal growing conditions include 3000+ growing degree days, light well-drained soils, and a pH of 6.0-6
Crown eco capital jakarta management solutions on world environment day and e...aeshiagordoff
The document discusses several threats facing American ginseng populations, including illegal harvesting, deer herbivory, invasive species, climate change, pests, and human activities like timbering and development. It notes that ginseng populations are small, usually fewer than 300 plants, and face an "extinction vortex" from these increasing threats. Long-term research on ginseng led by McGraw has helped identify factors threatening ginseng and shown the delicate balance between healthy and unhealthy populations. While harvest of ginseng continues for income, moving the start of harvesting season to September and replanting seeds allows for recovery of the plants and more sustainable harvesting practices.
This document summarizes research on cassava agronomy in southern Ethiopia over the last two decades. Some key findings include:
1) Optimal plant spacing of 100 cm x 80 cm, 120 cm x 80 cm, and 80 cm x 80 cm was found for Awassa, Amaro Kele, and Amaro Jijola areas respectively based on population studies.
2) Intercropping cassava with maize, beans, cowpeas, soybeans and mung beans resulted in land equivalent ratios greater than 1, indicating yield advantages over sole cropping.
3) Planting cassava vertically or at an angle in sandy soils and using middle to upper stem cuttings as planting material produced
First Report of ethnobotanical studies of tehsil Noorpur Thal, District Khush...IJEABJ
The study is based on gathering of information by interviewing villagers, herbalists, hakims and farmers, following a preset list of questions followed by analysis of the data collected. Plant samples were gathered and their morphological characteristics described. Their various uses including medicinal uses, where reported were gathered. The present work is a significant contribution to the existing knowledge because ethno botany as a interdisciplinary science understanding of local social dynamics, institutions and different values attributed to resources. These values may be symbolic, religious or political for a given society, while same plant resources may represent only an economic value for our social group. Fuel wood needs are also met by collecting dried fodder branches, by products of crops and dried animal dung. It is recommended that botanical ganders of medicinal plants should be established. Data was analyzed at P(0.05 -5%).
Este documento describe el sistema de proyección diédrica ortogonal. Explica que se utiliza para representar elementos tridimensionales en un plano y fue desarrollado por Gaspar Monge en el siglo XVIII. Define los términos "diédrico" como referente a dos planos y "ortogonal" como el uso de proyecciones cilíndricas perpendiculares. Detalla los elementos clave del sistema como los planos vertical, horizontal y de perfil utilizados para proyectar elementos en 3D.
Stimating long-term forage production using precipitation pattern in Dehshir ...Innspub Net
Knowledge on changes of the factors affecting range forage production is the main prerequisite for understanding the processes and optimal management of rangelands. In this research, the effects of precipitation variables, were studied on long-term forage production of somedominant range species, in Dehshirrangelands, Yazd province, during 9 years (2004 to 2012). Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between annual production and different precipitation pattern. According to the results, rainfall of past year in addition to rainfall of growing season has the greatest impact on forage production in site of Dehshir. Plant with platability class (I) and platability class (III) correlated with previous rainfall, respectively (r2 = 0.9 & 0.88), andplatability class (II) with growing season rainfall (r2 = 0.7o). Long- term production is estimated at 243.15 (kg/ha).
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is grown for grain and stover in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and the Indian sub-continent. In Eritrea, pearl millet is the second most important cereal in the country after sorghum and is grown by smallholder farmers on over 80,000 hectares, mainly in lowland and middle elevation regions. With no improved cultivars available until very recently, farmers grow exclusively traditional landraces, which have many preferred traits and a modest grain yield potential, but are generally susceptible to downy mildew.
Germplasm conservation refers to maintaining plant genetic material, such as seeds or living plants, in a way that minimizes the risk of loss. This allows the material to be used in the future if needed. There are two main approaches: in-situ conservation keeps germplasm in its natural habitat through methods like biosphere reserves and national parks, while ex-situ conservation stores germplasm outside its natural habitat using techniques like seed banks, field gene banks, and botanical gardens. The goal of both is to preserve genetic diversity and protect endangered plant species and economically important varieties.
The ICRISAT Genebank was established in 1979 to conserve the genetic resources of important crops in its mandate, including sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut. It works to assemble, conserve, maintain, characterize, evaluate, document, and distribute these resources to combat threats from new pests, diseases, and climate change which are reducing genetic diversity. Over 7 million plant accessions are conserved globally in genebanks, including over 740,000 in CGIAR collections and materials from over 3,300 species in the ICRISAT bank, representing 2% of the mandate crops held there.
STUDY OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND YIELD ATRIBUTING CHARACTERS IN INDIGENOUS RICE (OR...Vipin Pandey
The present study was carried out to study ninety four rice accessions, along with checks, on the basis of sixteen
qualitative and twenty quantitative characters. Analysis of variance for quantitative characters showed differences for
different characters. High coefficient of variation in the entire genotypes was observed for grain yield per plant (27.4 %),
number of effective tillers per plant (22.37 %), test weight (21.14 %) and kernel length breadth ratio (20.59 %).
Correlation analysis revealed positive and highly significant correlation of total number of filled grains per panicle, total
number of grains per panicle, plant height and number of effective tiller per plant; harvest index, test weight, flag leaf
length and days to maturity had positive highly significant correlation with grain yield per plant. Principal Component
Analysis revealed, out of 20, only seven principal components (PCs) exhibited more than 1.00 eigen value, and showed
about 77.42 % variability among the traits studied. So, these 7 PCs were given due importance for further explanation.
Component matrix revealed that the PC1 was mostly related to quality characters while PC2, PC3, PC4, PC5, PC6 and
PC7 mostly associated with yield related traits. Cluster analysis performed by UPGMA method using Euclidean distance
as dissimilarity measure divided the 97 genotypes of rice into ten clusters. The cluster III constituted of 48 genotypes,
forming the largest cluster followed by cluster VI (22 genotypes), cluster V (10 genotypes), cluster II (5 genotypes) and
cluster VIII (4 genotypes), cluster I, IV and VII (two genotypes each), cluster IX and X had (only one genotypes each).
Quality analysis performed for 97 rice genotypes revealed wide range of genetic variability for most of the quality traits.
Jakarta Crown Eco Management: On World Environment Day and Every Day, the Str...Michael Swiss
Being surrounded by ginseng--a low-growing green-leafed herb of North American forests--may have been common in 1751, but today? Ginseng is under siege.
Biologist James McGraw of West Virginia University should know. Today on World Environment Day, and indeed every day, McGraw says that we can learn much about the environment around us from one small plant.
Funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Long Term Research in Environmental Biology (LTREB) grant, McGraw and colleagues peer into the lives of more than 4,000 individual ginseng plants each year to see how they're faring.
"These understory plants are subject to all manner of [environmental] stresses," says McGraw. "After a while, you begin to wonder why there are any left."
Methodological approach to indigenous fruit trees breeding: case of Dacryodes...Innspub Net
This document summarizes a study on breeding methods for the indigenous fruit tree Dacryodes edulis in Cameroon. Controlled cross-pollination tests were conducted on 14 female D. edulis trees using pollen from 6 male parents, examining the influence of male parent provenance and pollen type on fruit set. The results showed the fruiting index, which determines yield, was significantly affected by the combined factors of male parent provenance, pollen type, and female parent. Six combinations with high fruit set and fruiting index were identified as potential candidates for further breeding from the Boumnyebel and Makenene provenances. Progeny from these crosses will be evaluated in future trials to
Intercropping of Maize(Zea mays L.) with Spear mint(Mentha spicata L.) as Sup...paperpublications3
Abstract: Field experiment was conducted in 2011 up to 2013 cropping season to investigate maize based farming system by inclusion of spearmint. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications.The result showed that sole planting of spearmint gave significantly higher essential oil yield, leaf fresh weight, above ground biomass than planting as intercropped with maize. However, intercropping didn’t show significant variation on plant height, shelling percentage and grain yield of the main crop. Land equivalent ratio (LER) indicated yield advantages for all intercrop combinations, especially at 42cm inter row spacing of spearmint intercropped with maize followed by 36cm inter row spacing of spearmint intercropped with maize. Similarly, Maize intercrop with spearmint at 42cm inter row spacing of spearmint gave higher monetary advantage index (41747) followed by 36cm inter row spacing of spearmint intercropped with maize (37496) than planted at sole. This indicate that intercropping maize at 42cm inter row spacing of spearmint followed by 36cm inter row spacing of spearmint is biologically efficient, economically feasible and more profitable than planting alone.
Keywords: Intercropping, Land Equivalent Ratio, Mentha spicata, Monetary Advantage, Supplementary, Zea mays
Neolamarckia cadamba, or Kadamba tree, is a large evergreen tree native to South and Southeast Asia. It is considered sacred in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The tree has red to orange flowers and produces seeds dispersed by wind. It grows well in tropical forests and tolerates a variety of soil and moisture conditions. Kadamba wood is used for construction, furniture, and paper products. The tree's flowers are used in perfumes and its bark and leaves have medicinal purposes. It is considered a miracle tree in some traditions due to its associations with Lord Krishna and ability to reunite lovers.
1) Five yeast species were isolated and identified from coffee waste collected in Ethiopia using morphological characterization and Biolog microstation analysis.
2) The identified species were Hanseiaspora valbyensis, Hyphopichia burtonii A, Rhodotorula hylophila, Rhodotrula aurantiaca A, and Pichia amenthionina var. menthionina.
3) The yeast species were further characterized based on their ability to assimilate and oxidize different carbon sources using Biolog microplate assays.
Non-timber forest products and conservation: what prospects?CIFOR-ICRAF
Non-timber forest products have been hailed as a ‘silver bullet’ for sustainable development and forest conservation, because of the significance of forest products as both food and income for rural dwellers, but evidence from this presentation’s core study suggests that harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) is failing to meet goals for combining conservation and poverty alleviation. NTFPs can have a role in rural livelihoods, especially through multiple-use sustainable forestry projects, but these require long-term investments and complex co-management approaches. CIFOR scientist Terry Sunderland gave this presentation at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, held in Bonito, Brazil on 19 June 2012.
The indispensable bond between mazri palm (nannorrhops ritchiana) and the ind...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Keeping in mind the economic importance of this palm, the Government of Pakistan passed an act on the conservation of Nannorrhops namely “Kohat Mazri Control Act 1953” (http://kp.gov.pk/page/the-kohat -mazri -contr olact-
1953/page-type/rules ) in 1953 where laws and rules were devised for the conservation of Nannorrhops in Pakistan in general and for the Kohat Division in particular (which then
covered the whole southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Regionally, it has been categorized as Endangered (EN) under the IUCN criteria. Murad et al. (2011) reported that in the Hazar
Nao Forest of Malakand Nannorrhops ritchiana is on the verge of extinction due to over exploitation by the local population for commercial purposes.
A presentation of the head of the National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources: Polish Genebank concerning plant genetic resources conservation in Poland.
Participatory variety selection of Faba Bean for yield components and yield a...Premier Publishers
Faba bean is one the major highland grain food legumes contributing an enormous amount of protein to the human diet in Ethiopia. Though a lot of improved varieties were released by research centers farmers depend on low yield and local varieties. Participatory variety selection is one of the methods used to evaluate varieties through involvement of users. The participatory faba bean variety selection was conducted during 2014 cropping season at Chiro and Gemachis districts on two farmers training center and three farmers field. Eight released varieties with one local check were laid out in Randomized complete block design in three replications on Farmers training center and single plot on farmer’s field. Agronomic and farmer selection data were collected and analyzed. From all the tested varieties, variety Hachalu was superior in grain yield (1437 kg ha-1) and ( 808 kg ha-1) while Wayu variety was yielded (719 kg ha-1) and 796 (kg ha-1) at Chiro and Gamachis respectively. The lowest grain yield was obtained from Obse (215 kg ha-1) variety at Chiro and Local variety (581 kg ha-1) at Gemachis respectively. In case of farmer preference Hachalu score higher mean value (3.8) followed by Tumsa (3.6) and least mean value was recorded from variety local (2.2). Therefore, the varieties selected by researcher and farmer data Hachalu, Wayu and Tumsa were recommended for further production in these areas.
Groundnut is an important oil seed crop, grown throughout the tropics and sub tropics worldwide. It is one of the three economically important oilseed crops grown in Ethiopia. Groundnut is commonly produced by small scale farmers as food and cash crops in the study area. The area has potential to the production of Ground nut for food and nutrition security as well as export commodity. However, scarcity of varieties that fit to the environment is one of the major constraints of production. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate five Ground nut varieties and select early maturing varieties with considerable yield and agronomic traits. The field experiment was conducted in 2017 and 2018 at Abaya and varieties were planted in Randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data were collected on yield and important agronomic traits. The computed analysis of variance revealed significant variations among varieties for days to maturity, number of primary branches, number of pegs per plants, Grain yield and shelling percentage. The pooled over year mean of varieties indicated , Tole- 1 variety ( Check) is high yielding with mean grain yield of 4174.7kg followed by variety Sedi (3552.5kg/ha) and Babile local (3550.4kg/ha).Variety Sedi has special merit in terms of earliness and therefore recommended for moisture stress areas of Abaya and location with similar agro ecologies while Tole -1 (Standard check) is high yielding varieties and should be used in production until new varieties will be developed through selection/breeding program.
This document provides an overview of peanuts including their history, uses, growth habits, and environmental requirements. Key points include:
- Peanuts originated in South America and are now grown worldwide, with top producers being India, China, and the US.
- Peanuts are used for food products like peanut butter as well as non-food uses like soaps, medicines, and livestock feed.
- Peanuts are a self-pollinating annual plant that develops underground pods. They require warm temperatures and moderate rainfall to mature in 100-150 days.
- Optimal growing conditions include 3000+ growing degree days, light well-drained soils, and a pH of 6.0-6
Crown eco capital jakarta management solutions on world environment day and e...aeshiagordoff
The document discusses several threats facing American ginseng populations, including illegal harvesting, deer herbivory, invasive species, climate change, pests, and human activities like timbering and development. It notes that ginseng populations are small, usually fewer than 300 plants, and face an "extinction vortex" from these increasing threats. Long-term research on ginseng led by McGraw has helped identify factors threatening ginseng and shown the delicate balance between healthy and unhealthy populations. While harvest of ginseng continues for income, moving the start of harvesting season to September and replanting seeds allows for recovery of the plants and more sustainable harvesting practices.
This document summarizes research on cassava agronomy in southern Ethiopia over the last two decades. Some key findings include:
1) Optimal plant spacing of 100 cm x 80 cm, 120 cm x 80 cm, and 80 cm x 80 cm was found for Awassa, Amaro Kele, and Amaro Jijola areas respectively based on population studies.
2) Intercropping cassava with maize, beans, cowpeas, soybeans and mung beans resulted in land equivalent ratios greater than 1, indicating yield advantages over sole cropping.
3) Planting cassava vertically or at an angle in sandy soils and using middle to upper stem cuttings as planting material produced
First Report of ethnobotanical studies of tehsil Noorpur Thal, District Khush...IJEABJ
The study is based on gathering of information by interviewing villagers, herbalists, hakims and farmers, following a preset list of questions followed by analysis of the data collected. Plant samples were gathered and their morphological characteristics described. Their various uses including medicinal uses, where reported were gathered. The present work is a significant contribution to the existing knowledge because ethno botany as a interdisciplinary science understanding of local social dynamics, institutions and different values attributed to resources. These values may be symbolic, religious or political for a given society, while same plant resources may represent only an economic value for our social group. Fuel wood needs are also met by collecting dried fodder branches, by products of crops and dried animal dung. It is recommended that botanical ganders of medicinal plants should be established. Data was analyzed at P(0.05 -5%).
Este documento describe el sistema de proyección diédrica ortogonal. Explica que se utiliza para representar elementos tridimensionales en un plano y fue desarrollado por Gaspar Monge en el siglo XVIII. Define los términos "diédrico" como referente a dos planos y "ortogonal" como el uso de proyecciones cilíndricas perpendiculares. Detalla los elementos clave del sistema como los planos vertical, horizontal y de perfil utilizados para proyectar elementos en 3D.
Daddy Yankee es un cantante puertorriqueño de reggaeton conocido como "El Rey del Reggaeton". Ha tenido gran éxito comercial y ha popularizado el género del reggaeton a nivel mundial. Algunos de sus mayores logros son haber liderado listas de ventas de Billboard con varios de sus álbumes y haber trabajado con otros importantes artistas. Daddy Yankee es considerado uno de los artistas más influyentes e importantes del reggaeton.
Aadil Moolla has provided his curriculum vitae which includes his personal details, educational background, work experience, and references. He has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from the University of Johannesburg and has work experience in sales, cashier, and assistant manager roles at various retail and food service companies. His CV demonstrates strong entrepreneurial skills and academic achievements such as memorizing the Quran and participating in mathematics and English olympiads.
Go back? Stand Still? Move Forward? Drown? is a Christian sermon which teaches you how to deal with multiple challenges. This Biblical teaching is based on Exodus 14 when the Israelites found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army.
El documento describe la importancia de la Palabra de Dios y la oración como los dos principales medios de gracia. Explica que a través de ellos viene la conversión y el crecimiento espiritual. Además, señala que ambos deben usarse en proporción para evitar caer en el conocimiento sin amor o la ignorancia de la voluntad de Dios. El resto del documento se centra en resaltar numerosos ejemplos bíblicos de personas cuyas oraciones fueron contestadas por Dios.
Guerra santa de angel arley meneses, Juan David Londoño, Jampier Vargasjampier Vargas
La guerra santa se refiere a una guerra justificada por razones religiosas, cuyos promotores creen que es querida por Dios y conduce a la salvación eterna. Las cruzadas y la yihad islámica son ejemplos históricos. Consiste en combatir a enemigos de la fe por motivos de proteger la religión, sus lugares sagrados y dogmas. Se libra buscando una recompensa espiritual.
Presentación Rodrigo José da Cunha - eConversion eModa Day Buenos Aires 2016eCommerce Institute
El documento proporciona 23 formas de mejorar la conversión en un sitio web, incluyendo cambios a la vitrina de productos, caja de búsqueda, banners, páginas de producto y checkout. Algunas de las mejoras más efectivas son mostrar más productos y botones en la vitrina, usar fotos que muestren el uso del producto, mejorar la diagramación de páginas, y cambiar los mensajes y botones en el proceso de checkout para aumentar la conversión en un 40%.
COFA citizens in Oklahoma report follow up from VOICE2015Terry Mote
Many COFA migrants suffer from chronic diseases linked to U.S. nuclear testing in their home regions. States previously provided healthcare using own funds but budget crises forced reductions. COFA migrants have few coverage options due to being ineligible for Medicaid and many plans remaining unaffordable. Efforts in Congress to restore COFA Medicaid eligibility have not succeeded. In Oklahoma, better data and state support are needed to address disproportionately high illness rates in the COFA community and barriers to healthcare access.
The document discusses the benefits of outsourcing payroll, including cost savings, increased efficiency, and ensuring compliance. It outlines the differences between bureau and managed payroll outsourcing options and debunks common myths about outsourcing. Finally, it provides a step-by-step process for selecting a payroll outsourcing provider and implementing an outsourced solution.
El documento habla sobre la necesidad de enseñar a los jóvenes a usar las redes sociales de manera segura y ética. Propone analizar la diferencia entre información pública y privada, y cómo esto se relaciona con la identidad digital. El objetivo es que los estudiantes aprendan a proteger su información y respetar la privacidad de los demás en las redes.
Swimming Ability and Feeding Strategy of the Ocean SunfishKeven Henley
The ocean sunfish has unique adaptations that allow it to occupy a niche feeding on jellyfish in the open ocean. Its highly modified fins and lack of a swim bladder enable efficient lift-based swimming over long distances. Though descended from coral reef fish, it feeds on gelatinous zooplankton like the leatherback turtle. Its morphology represents an advanced form allowing vast oceanic migrations in search of prey.
Educacion, medio ambiente y desarrollo sostenibleYezz Ortiz
El hombre del fin del milenio ha adquirido paulatinamente conciencia de que una época termina y por tanto se plantea dos opciones inequívocas: por un lado, continuar con modelos de desarrollo en los que los procesos económicos prevalecen y marcan las líneas de explotación de los recursos y los hábitos de consumo, o -en necesario contraste-, entender que si alguna dictadura debe existir en el próximo siglo es la ambiental -considerada como una dimensión que trasciende su contexto ecológico e integra ámbitos que tradicionalmente se han fragmentado, como lo político, lo social y lo económico. La crisis global y sus saldos de miseria y devastación debe ser entendida como una oportunidad para transitar hacia otro modelo de relación entre los hombres y su ambiente.
Wage boards are tripartite bodies that represent employers, labor, and independent members to regulate wages in industries. They were established to settle wage disputes as an alternative to adjudication under the Industrial Dispute Act. Wage boards consist of equal numbers of representatives from employers and workers, plus an independent chairperson, to make acceptable decisions on minimum wages, cost of living adjustments, regional differentials, and other issues. The first wage boards were set up in the cotton textiles and sugar industries. They recommend wages and resolve wage-related disputes in a tripartite manner representing labor, management, and public interests.
El documento habla sobre una pequeña casa en un pueblo francés junto a un río donde hermanos acogen a necesitados y les brindan educación. Menciona tres fechas de celebración relacionadas con la fundación y objetivos de la hermandad y enumera algunas provincias y países donde están presentes. Su tarea principal es educar el interior de las personas a través del silencio interior y exterior, de la escucha y la contemplación.
Comparing Apis Mellifera and Bombus spp. Pollination Efficiencies on Willamet...Keane Daly
The document summarizes a study that compared the pollination efficiency of honeybees and bumblebees on blueberry farms in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Researchers observed the populations and floral handling rates of both bee species across farms of different sizes and bloom periods. They found that while honeybee populations were much larger, bumblebees visited on average over 3 times as many flowers per minute. As a result, despite their smaller overall numbers, bumblebees played an essential role in blueberry pollination due to their higher pollination efficiency. The study recommends farmers take steps to increase native bumblebee populations through habitat improvement and forage planting.
The document summarizes a study on seed dispersal by frugivorous bats in Guyana. The study found:
- 20 plant species were identified in bat fecal and stomach samples, with the most common being Ficus nymphaeifolia, Piper bartlingianum, Cecropia latiloba, and C. sciadophylla.
- Cecropia latiloba, an early successional plant species, was previously unknown to be dispersed by bats.
- Bats of the genera Artibeus and Carollia accounted for most sample collections, with Artibeus associated with dispersing Ficus and Cecropia, while Carollia dispersed Piper and Solanum
Dung Beetle Benefits in the Pasture EcosystemGardening
This document summarizes information about dung beetles and their benefits in pasture ecosystems. It discusses the different types of dung beetles, their life cycles, behaviors, and importance in manure recycling and soil health. Specifically, it notes that dung beetles improve nutrient cycling, soil structure, forage growth, and help reduce pest populations like horn flies. The document also covers research on importing new dung beetle species to support pasture ecosystems and provides tips for management practices to encourage dung beetle populations.
Application animal and plant interaction in food processingChou Bảo
This document discusses animal and plant interactions and their effects on agriculture and food processing. It covers examples of mutualistic interactions like pollination that benefit agriculture as well as antagonistic interactions like pests that harm agriculture. Pollination, which is facilitated by animals transferring pollen between plants, is described as essential for the reproduction of most crop plants and fruits. The value of pollination services, particularly from honeybees, is estimated to be in the billions of dollars annually for countries' agricultural sectors. Biological control using natural enemies is presented as an alternative to chemical pesticides for managing agricultural pests, though it also carries risks if agents become invasive themselves. Case studies on pollination valuation from China and India are briefly
Dung Beetle Benefits in the Pasture EcosystemElisaMendelsohn
Dung beetles play an important role in pasture ecosystems by feeding on manure, using it to provide homes and food for their young, and improving soil structure, nutrient cycling, and forage growth. There are three main types of dung beetles - tumblers that roll dung into balls and bury them, tunnelers that bury balls under or near dung piles, and dwellers that live in dung piles without much digging. Dung beetles benefit pastures by reducing fly populations, breaking the life cycles of gastrointestinal parasites, and making more forage available by completely removing dung piles. Importing additional dung beetle species from other parts of the world can further improve manure recycling in US past
Bumble bees are important pollinators that are experiencing population declines across North America. Several factors threaten bumble bees, including habitat loss and fragmentation, pesticide use, diseases, and climate change. This document provides guidelines for creating high-quality habitat to help conserve and restore bumble bee populations, including providing diverse foraging areas, nesting sites, and overwintering areas, as well as responsible pesticide use and commercial rearing practices.
Tracey Gray, fropm Port Fairy Consolidated School, delivered this presentation to VCE Environmental Science stuednts in May, 2008 as part of the Unit 3: Biodiversity course.
Effectiveness of anthraquinone and methylanthranilate against house sparrow (...Innspub Net
Among avian pests, house sparrow caused serious depredations, not only to seeds, but also seedlings of various crops particularly in the organic farming. Different mechanical and chemical ways have been reported to manage these losses all over the world. The present study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of two bird repellents namely methylanthranilate and anthraquinone to manage the depredations of wheat seeds and seedlings against house sparrow in captivity. For this purpose house sparrows were offered with treated and untreated seeds and seedlings of wheat in two aviaries. By providing treated seeds and seedlings with these repellents, the relative effectiveness was appraised by comparing the consumed and unconsumed seeds and seedlings. Feeding responses of these birds against different doses of these repellents were investigated with the help of the closed circuit cameras adjusted in the aviaries. During the whole experiment among trial and control group highly significant differences (P<0.01)><0.05)>0.05) variance when wheat seeds and seedlings were offered to house sparrows. House sparrows were influenced more quickly by consuming wheat seeds and seedlings treated with both repellents. Sparrows displayed noticeable head-shaking and feather ruffling behavior by consuming the treated seeds and seedlings. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-6-number-5-may-2015-jbes/
This document summarizes efforts to develop an inventory of crop wild relatives and economically important wild crops native to the United States. It outlines developing the inventory, prioritizing taxa based on their relationships to major world crops, and next steps to conduct a gap analysis on priority taxa and improve conservation of genetic resources.
This document summarizes a capstone project that studied pollinator values at three sites - the DiTullio Homestead, Water Tower Hill, and Roger's Landing. The author recorded plant species and their pollinator values on a scale of 0-3 at each site using 1m x 1m plots. The results provide information on the best pollinator plants and habitats for bees and other insects at each location. The goal was to identify high-value plants suitable for home gardens to attract native pollinators.
The document discusses a proposal by the Shoal Creek Conservancy to create wildflower meadows and insect gardens in parks along Shoal Creek in Austin, Texas. This is proposed to help address the decline in pollinator populations like bees. The meadows would provide habitat for pollinators and use native wildflowers appropriate for the region. They would help with stormwater management and have educational and aesthetic benefits for the community. The proposal identifies Duncan, Bailey, and Wooldridge Square parks as locations that could include new wildflower gardens.
This study examined the diversity and abundance of fruit-feeding butterflies across four habitat types in a Costa Rican cloud forest: primary forest, natural secondary regrowth forest, planted secondary regrowth forest, and pastureland. The researchers trapped 174 butterflies of 27 species over six weeks. They found that planted secondary regrowth forest had the highest species richness, diversity, and evenness, indicating reforestation efforts were improving diversity. Climate change may be causing butterflies to move to new elevations.
This grant proposal requests $772.35 to fund an undergraduate research project investigating the allelopathic effects of hayscented ferns. The student hypothesizes that the ferns suppress competing plants either through chemicals released from roots/leaves or as leaf litter leachate, and aims to determine if suppression occurs at the seed germination or seedling growth stages. The project will expose seeds and seedlings of sugar maple, red maple, red oak, and black cherry to aqueous extracts and a leachate treatment from ferns. Effects on germination and growth will be measured over several months. The budget details supplies, equipment, and a timeline to complete the work by April 2015.
Insect biodiversity in relation to plant diversity and soil factors for a pla...Kate Novak
The document summarizes a study that examined insect biodiversity in relation to plant diversity and soil factors in a flower garden in Philadelphia, PA. Three pitfall traps were used to sample insects at the garden sites over night. A variety of plant and insect species were found across the sites, including bees, spiders, ants, grasshoppers, and others. Abiotic site factors like soil pH, wind speed, and humidity were also measured and found to be consistent across the sites. Photographs were included of some of the plant and insect species identified.
This document discusses strategies for conserving native pollinators in organic farming systems. It finds that while organic agriculture reduces pesticide use which benefits pollinators, some common organic practices like tillage can be detrimental to ground-nesting bees. The document provides recommendations for organic farmers to support pollinators, such as reducing tillage, providing flowering crops and habitat, and using integrated pest management over pesticide applications when crops are in bloom. Overall, the document aims to help organic farmers balance production practices with conservation of native pollinators.
This document discusses strategies for conserving native pollinators in organic farming systems. It finds that while organic agriculture reduces pesticide use which benefits pollinators, some common organic practices like tillage can be detrimental to native bees that nest in the ground. The document provides recommendations for organic farmers to support pollinators, such as reducing tillage, using mulches that allow bee access, growing diverse flowering crops and habitat to support native bee populations on which farms rely.
Bird Species Richness and Diversity in Armyworms Infested Maize Plots in Olab...BRNSS Publication Hub
This research examined the Bird Species Richness and Diversity in Armyworms Infested Maize Plots in Olabel Farms, Southwestern Nigeria. Survey Method: Point count method was used to collect data on bird species richness and diversity in the study area. In all five counting stations were used and counting bands of the 50 m radius were used for all the stations. One counting station per plot was used for this study. On arrival at the sites, birds were allowed time to settle before recording all the birds seen or heard for a predetermined time usually, 20 minutes. Bird calls were also recorded with a voice recorder and played back later for confirmation. Results: A total of 77 bird species belonging to 10 orders and 32 families were encountered in the study area; the order Passeriformes constituted the highest number of bird species in the study area. The family with the largest number of bird species is Accipitridae (n = 7). The composition of bird species obtained in this research revealed that it was not only insectivorous bird species that were encountered in the maize plots but also granivorous and frugivorous bird species that were present on the farm. They probably were feeding on the armyworms as protein supplements. From the results obtained, the relative abundance of the bird species in the study area indicated that Ploceus cucullatus has the highest of relative has abundance (0.0825) while the following bird species have the lowest relative abundance: Egretta intermedia (0.055), Streptopelia semitorquata (0.0325), and Vanellus lugubris (0.03). The Shannon_H diversity index was relatively higher (3.992) during wet season than dry season (3.661) when compared.
Distribution of ground dwelling spider genera among berseem crop at Okara dis...Innspub Net
The present study was designed to record the distribution of ground dwelling spider genera among berseem crop at Okara district. Sampling was made from Trifolium crop on fortnight basis through pitfall traps. Equal number of traps were placed in three rows e.g. along the boundary, middle of the field and centre of the field. Each trap was filled with mixture solution of alcohol and glycerin (70:30%) along with few drops of kerosene oil. After 5 days interval sample traps was collected and spider specimens were washed with distilled water and permanently stored in labeled glass vials, and brought into the Pest Control Laboratory, Departmentof Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Thereafter, each spider specimen was identified according to the taxonomic material and internet source. Identified data was analyzed statistically to quantify their spatial distribution. Overall maximum spatial distribution of spider population was documented in middle transect than boundary and centre of the berseem crop. It was also observed that temperature, humidity, vegetation and prey availability were the major factors that effecting the spider population. Population variations were recorded during the months of February, March and April in 2015, due to rise of temperature, decrease of humidity and availability of prey. It was concluded that despite to cosmopolitan nature, spiders have some correlation with suitable local conditions or habitat. More over, spiders are cost effective, functionally significant and play a key role in regulating decomposer population. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/jbes/distribution-of-ground-dwelling-spider-genera-among-berseem-crop-at-okara-district-pakistan/
This study investigated genetic variability and divergence among five provenances of Faidherbia albida based on seed traits and germination. Seed length, width, thickness and weight were measured and a germination test was conducted. Significant differences were found among provenances for all seed traits except thickness, indicating genetic variability. Heritability for all traits was high, suggesting selection based on morphology can be effective. Principal component and cluster analyses separated provenances into three distinct clusters correlated with rainfall and altitude of origin. High genetic variation and heritability for seed traits makes them suitable for selection and breeding of F. albida provenances.
1. Southeastern Naturalist
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M.A. Schlueter and N.G. Stewart
2015 Vol. 14, No. 4SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST2015 14(4):721–739
Native Bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) Abundance and
Diversity in North Georgia Apple Orchards throughout the
2010 Growing Season (March to October)
Mark A. Schlueter1,*
and Nicholas G. Stewart1
Abstract - Bees play a key role in agriculture, directly affecting the production of over
one-third of the human food supply. Apis mellifera (Honey Bee), the chief pollinator used in
commercial agriculture, has been in decline. Reliance on a single species for the pollination
of a significant portion of commercial agriculture can be dangerous. One alternative to using
Honey Bees as the main commercial pollinator is native bees. In this study, we document
native bee species diversity and abundance throughout the 2010 growing season (March
through October) at 4 North Georgia Malus domestica (Apple) orchards. The 4 study sites
included 2 large-scale orchards (Mercier Orchards and Hillside Orchards) and 2 small-
scale orchards (Mountain View Orchards and Tiger Mountain Orchards). A comprehensive
sampling methodology using pan-traps, vane-traps, malaise traps, and sweep-netting was
performed at each orchard on 8 separate collection days. A total of 1817 bees were identi-
fied to species. These bees comprised 128 species in 28 genera in 5 families. Several native
bee species were quite common and widespread at all 4 orchards. These native bee species
included: Andrena crataegi, A. perplexa, Lasioglossum imitatum, L. pilosum, and Xylocopa
virginica (Eastern Carpenter Bee). Andrena crataegi was identified as the best native bee
candidate for Apple pollination in North Georgia due to its abundance, wide-spread distri-
bution in Georgia Apple orchards, and its life-history characteristics.
Introduction
It is estimated that 35% of global food production is dependent on animal pol-
lination. Insects, mainly bees, are the main animal pollinator of almost every fruit,
nut, and vegetable crop (Klein et al. 2007). Apis mellifera (Honey Bee) is the most
important insect pollinator for the majority of agriculture crops; the yields of some
crops decrease by more than 90% when Honey Bees are not present. In the United
States alone, bees contribute roughly $15 billion in pollination services each year
(Morse and Calderone 2000).
Reliance on a single insect species for the pollination of over 1/3 of the human
food supply can be dangerous. Indeed, this situation is especially precarious con-
sidering that Honey Bee populations are in decline, thus putting the global food
supply at risk. In the United States, there was a sharp decline in managed Honey
Bee colonies from 4 million in the 1970s to 2.4 million in 2005 (USDA National
Agriculture Service, 1977, 2006). In 2006, the situation worsened with a significant
increase in Honey Bee losses (30–90% of colonies). These losses were documented
particularly in the East Coast of the United States, due to the phenomenon labeled
1
Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. *
Corresponding author -
mschluet@ggc.edu.
Manuscript Editor: Richard Brown
2. Southeastern Naturalist
M.A. Schlueter and N.G. Stewart
2015 Vol. 14, No. 4
722
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD; Cox-Foster et al. 2007, Johnson 2007, Oldroyd
2007). The reduced availability of Honey Bee colonies has increased food produc-
tion costs and lowered potential crop yields. Alternative pollination strategies that
are less dependent on the Honey Bee must be developed in order to ensure long-
term sustainability of insect pollinated crops.
The best pollination alternatives to Honey Bees are the native bees already
present in the local environment. There are over 17,000 bee species in the world
(Michener 2007). With nearly 3500 bee species in North America alone, the diver-
sity of different forms (size, pubescence, etc.), pollination strategies, and behaviors
(early spring emergence, prolonged daily foraging, shorter inter-flower travel, etc.)
provide an effective native bee pollinator for every fruit, nut, and vegetable crop
(Chagnon et al. 1993; Greenleaf and Kremen 2006; Kremen et al. 2002, 2004).
It is estimated that native bees already annually contribute $3 billion to
US agriculture (Losey and Vaughan 2006). In addition, native bees exhibit
much greater pollination efficiency compared to Honey Bees. In Malus domes-
tica Borkhausen (Apple) pollination, for example, one female Osmia cornifrons
(Radoszkowski) (Mason Bee) is estimated to pollinate 2450 blooms per day,
compared to 80 per day by a Honey Bee (Parker et al. 1987). Winfree et al.
(2008) found that native bees were able to provide full pollination services to
most farms in heterogeneous landscapes.
Every region, even every crop, has its own characteristic group of native bee
pollinators. Data concerning regional make-ups of these native pollinator-guilds are
severely lacking, which is one reason that farmers have relied so heavily on Honey
Bees. In fact, across the continent, available information on the role of pollination
by native bees is spotty at best (Cane and Tepedino 2001, Committee on the Status
of Pollinators in North America 2007). Therefore, research is needed to determine
which native bees are present in a given region. Crop specific studies are needed
to identify appropriate target native bees in order for farmers to provide the best
habitat enrichments and resources to boost target native bee abundances.
In the following study, we have documented the native bee species diver-
sity and abundance in Apple orchards in northern Georgia. With over 2000 bees
sampled, including 128 different bee species, a clearer picture of the native bee
resources in northern Georgia has been obtained. We hypothesize that native bees
can supplement or even replace the Honey Bees in Apple pollination in Georgia.
Field-site Description
The study sampled 4 Apple orchards within the apple-growing region of north-
ern Georgia. We sampled each site 8 times from March to October. The 2 western
sites (Mercier Orchards and Mountain View Orchards) straddle the Georgia–
Tennessee border. The 2 eastern sites (Hillside Orchards and Tiger Mountain
Orchards) are located just north of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The
Eastern Continental Divide separates the 2 eastern sites from the 2 western sites.
In the West, Mercier Orchards (Blue Ridge, GA), the largest Apple orchard in
Georgia, is a large-scale industrial operation with more than 150,000 trees on
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M.A. Schlueter and N.G. Stewart
2015 Vol. 14, No. 4
over 80 ha (200 ac). In contrast, Mountain View Orchards (McCaysville, GA) is
a small-scale, family-style orchard with less than 1000 trees. In the East, Tiger
Mountain Orchards (Tiger, GA) is also a family-style operation with just over
1000 trees. Hillside Orchards (Tiger, GA) is a moderate-scale industrial orchard
with ~40,000 trees. In the United States, 96% of all Apple orchards are operated
on less than 80 ha (200 acres), with small-scale orchards being quite common
(USDA National Agriculture Service 2009). All 4 orchards are located within
similar surroundings of mixed suburban, agricultural, and forested environments.
Hillside Orchards has the largest surrounding natural area (Chattahoochee Na-
tional Forest) with expansive undeveloped forest tracts. Mercier Orchards, due to
its large size, has the least surrounding natural area.
Methods
Sample plot design
The sample plot was designed to collect native bees (Apoidea) in a standardized,
comparable manner between all sites and all seasonal periods. This plot design is
a derivative of the USGS Standard Bee Inventory Plot (LeBuhn et al. 2003). The
sample plot was 100 x 100 m and incorporated both passive and active sampling
methods. Passive traps included: (1) 7 sets of UV-yellow, UV-blue, and white level-
pan traps; (2) 6 sets of UV-yellow, UV-blue, and white elevated-pan traps; (3) 6
sets of UV-yellow and UV-blue vane-traps; and (4) 2 ground-level malaise traps.
Whereas the pan and vane traps are known to be attractive to bees, malaise traps
are thought to intercept the flight of bees passing through the area. The 13 sets
of pan traps alternated between level and elevated. We placed the level-pan traps
directly upon the ground and spaced roughly 1 m apart, and set the elevated pans
0.91 m (3 ft) off the ground (on average, the height of the lowest available Apple
blossoms during bloom). Likewise, we hung the vane-traps from Apple trees at an
elevation of 0.91–1.52 m (3–5 ft). The pans and vanes were consistently placed in
the exact same positions every sample day, and denoted by flags, while the malaise
trap placements were randomized. Active sampling methods consisted of an hour of
timed-transect sweep-netting. Sweep-net sampling involved walking up and down
the Apple tree rows for an hour at a constant pace during the afternoon (between
2–4 pm) while sweeping constantly. We swept the Apple flowers during bloom,
while at other time periods we swept the wildflowers within the orchard. We per-
formed all of the sampling methods (bowls, vanes, malaise, and sweep-netting) at
each orchard during the 8 sampling days from March to October.
Collection-device specifics
The pan-traps consisted of 15.24-cm (6-inch) diameter, 800-ml (24-oz) plastic
bowls. We painted each bowl with UV-yellow, UV-blue, or white primer spray
paint. Yellow bowls received 2 coats of UV-yellow spray paint (Rust-Oleum Fluo-
rescent Yellow) after a coating of plastic primer (Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover Primer).
Blue bowls received 2 coats of UV-blue spray paint (Ace Hardware Fluorescent
Blue) after a coating of plastic primer. We sprayed white bowls with 2 coats of the
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white primer. The platforms upon which elevated pans were placed consisted of a
0.91-m (3-ft) section of 2.54-cm (1-inch) PVC pipe with a 0.91-m (3-ft) plank of 2
x 4 wood attached on top. We fitted each elevated bowl with a magnet, which cor-
responded to a large-washer glued to the piece of wood, allowing secure attachment
of the bowls in the field.
The vane traps (Oak Stump Farms Trap; www.springstar.net) came in blue and
yellow colors. We sprayed the vanes portion of each trap with either UV-blue or
UV-yellow paint in order to increase its sampling effectiveness.
The malaise traps were of the Townes designed (www.bioquip.com, catalog
number 2868). No modifications were made to these traps.
Sampling protocol
During each survey day, 2 sites were sampled. We placed the collection devices
within the same pre-flagged areas prior to 10:30 am and retrieved them after 8 to
10 hours. Sampling occurred on 8 days per site during the growing season, begin-
ning March 15, two weeks prior to the first Apple blooms, and ending around the
last week of October. Following the first survey day prior to the onset of bloom,
subsequent sampling occurred weekly during the Apple bloom until May 19 and
then occurred once a month for the remainder of the growing season.
After collection, we pooled all specimens captured within similar devices. For
instance, we placed within a single vial containing ethanol all collections for a
single sample day, per site, from the UV-Blue level-pans.
Specimen identification
We took the bees stored in ethanol to the research lab. We first sorted each raw
field sample vial into broad groups (non-pollinators, pollinating Diptera, Apoidea,
etc.). We then identified the bees wereto the species level or, in rare cases, to spe-
cies’ groups (especially for the Dialictus and Nomada). The main species identifi-
cation tools and references used to identify the bees were “Discover Life” website
(Pickering and Ascher 2012), Bees of the World (Michener 2007), Michener et al.
(1994), Pascarella’s (2012) Bees of Florida, and Gibb’s (2010, 2011) revision of the
metallic Lasioglossum (Dialictus). After identification, we databased, catalogued,
labeled, and stored the bees.
Damaged specimens that could not be identified were not included in the study.
Difficult and rare bee species identifications were checked and verified by Sam
Droege (US Native Bee Lab, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Research Center,
Patuxent, VA). The University of Georgia Collection of Arthropods (UGA Depart-
ment of Entomology), USGS Native Bee collection, and the Penn State University
Frost Museum were also used in specimen identification verifications.
Results
During the 2010 growing season, we collected a total of 2025 bees within the 4
North Georgia Apple orchards (8 collections per site, spanning March to October).
Of those initial 2025 bees sampled, 208 were unidentifiable beyond genus. The
5. Southeastern Naturalist
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2015 Vol. 14, No. 4
Figure 1.
Te m p o r a l
occurrence
of native
Andrenidae
and Apidae
c o l l e c t e d
at 4 North
Georgia Ap-
ple orchards
during the
2010 grow-
ing season
( M a r c h –
O c t o b e r ) .
The Apple
bloom oc-
curred dur-
ing most of
April and
the begin-
n i n g o f
May. Black
shading rep-
resent bee
species col-
lected dur-
ing a given
month.
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remaining 1817 bees were identified to one of 128 species within 30 genera (Figs.
1, 2; Appendix 1).
Collection methods
Pan traps collected 587 bees (32.3%), vane traps collected 172 bees (9.5%),
malaise traps collected 285 bees (15.7%), and sweep-netting collected 773 bees
F i g u r e 2 .
Temporal oc-
currence of
native Col-
letidae, Hal-
ictidae, and
Megachilidae
collected at 4
North Geor-
g i a A p p l e
orchards dur-
ing the 2010
growing sea-
son (March–
O c t o b e r ) .
Total tempo-
ral specimen
counts are
also shown.
The Apple
bloom oc-
curred during
most of April
and the begin-
ning of May.
Black shad-
ing represent
bee species
collected dur-
ing a given
month.
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2015 Vol. 14, No. 4
(42.5%) (Appendix 1). Of the 128 species, pan traps collected 93 (72.7%), vane
traps collected 43 (33.6%), malaise traps collected 54 (42.2%), and active sweep-
netting collected 72 (56.3%). Each trap also collected unique species that were
collected only by that specific trap type: 25 in pan traps, 6 in vane traps, 11 in
malaise traps, and 20 by sweep-netting. In total, 62 of 128 (48.4%) species were
collected only by one type of sampling method.
Bee abundance and diversity
There were 128 Honey Bees (7.0%) and 1689 native bees (93.0%) collected at the
4 orchards during 2010. Honey Bee abundance within sites was strongly related to
the number of Honey Bee colonies placed in each orchard. Andrena crataegi was the
most abundant native bee species collected in the apple orchards, with 563 specimens
or 31.0% of all bees caught. The next 2 most abundant native bee species were Lasio-
glossum (Dialictus) imitatum (227; 12.5%) and L. (D.) pilosum (94; 5.2%).
The specific abundance and diversity results for each family of bees are found
in Appendix 1. The breakdown of native bee abundances and diversity findings for
each family in the study gives insight into which species of bees were best repre-
sented in Georgia’s apple orchards.
Family Andrenidae. The andrenids were the most abundant of all the Apoidea,
with 844 specimens (46.5% of bees in all samples) collected. The specimens ac-
counted for 3 genera and 47 species (36.4% of the season’s diversity). Andrenids
represented roughly 1 out of every 2 bees sampled. Andrena crataegi was by far the
most notable of this group, totaling 563 of the 1817 bees caught.
The andrenids were also strongly periodic, with the majority of the specimen
catches falling between the beginning of sampling (March 15) and the cessation
of the Apple bloom (May 19). The only andrenids to be collected after the Apple
bloom were single specimens of A. imitatrix and A. placata collected on June 19
and July 17, respectively.
Family Halictidae. The halictids were the second most abundant family, with
622 specimens (34.2% of all bees) collected. The specimens represented 7 genera
and 33 species (25.6% of the season’s diversity). This family was composed of
3 major groups: (1) the green sweat bees (Agapostemon, Augochlora, Augochlo-
rella, and Augochloropsis); (2) the genus Halictus; and (3) the speciose genus
Lasioglossum. The most common bees of this latter group included the tiny species
L. imitatum (227; 12.5%) and the gold-toned L. pilosum (94; 5.2%).
Family Apidae. The apids were the third most abundant family, with 311 speci-
mens (17.1% of all bees) collected. The specimens represented 12 genera and 28
species (21.7% of the season’s diversity). The 311 bees were comprised of 183
(58.2%) native bees and 128 (41.2%) Honey Bees. The 183 native bees account for
10% of the 2010 abundance totals. The most abundant native apid was the large
Xylocopa virginica (Eastern Carpenter Bee), accounting for 61 specimens (3.3%).
Family Megachilidae. The megachilids were the fourth most abundant family,
with 32 specimens (1.8% of all bees) collected. The specimens represented 6 genera
and 17 species (13.1% of the season’s diversity). The most common megachilid
was the species Megachile mendica with 7 specimens.
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Family Colletidae. The colletids were the least abundant family, with 8 speci-
mens (0.4% of all bees) collected. The specimens represented 2 genera and 4
species (3.1% of the season’s diversity).
Common native species richness and abundance
Several species of bees were common at most orchards (Tables 1, 2). While not
necessarily the most abundant species by site, these common species are likely to
be found throughout North Georgia in similar habitats (agricultural orchards) and
provide insight into the dominant species one can assume might be present in agri-
cultural areas.
Table 1 shows the common species between all sites, while Table 2 lists the
common species found at the sites excluding Mercier Orchards. Both tables are in-
cluded because Mercier’s species abundance and diversity was significantly lower
than the other 3 orchards. The particularly low species richness at Mercier Orchards
removed many common species. Fifteen species were found to be present at all 4
sites, together accounting for 1247 of the total 1817 bees sampled that year. Each
species is known from earlier studies to be rather common throughout the Eastern
Seaboard, especially species like A. crataegi, B. impatiens, L. imitatum, L. pilosum,
and X. virginica (Gardner and Ascher 2006).
Rare native species richness and abundance
Rarely collected species are also important to consider when examining species
richness. In this paper, we defined rare species as those for which we collected <3
Table 1. Bee species occurring at all 4 North Georgia Apple orchards sampled during the 2010 season,
March to October.
Family/genus Species Hillside Mercier Mt View Tiger Total
ANDRENIDAE
Andrena crataegi 76 3 414 71 564
Andrena fenningeri 4 1 2 8 15
Andrena imitatrix 1 2 7 3 13
Andrena violae 5 7 8 4 24
Calliopsis andreniformes 2 1 3 3 9
APIDAE
Apis mellifera 55 32 25 15 127
Bombus impatiens 3 4 4 9 20
Ceratina calcarata/dupla 3 2 2 7 14
Xylocopa virginica 17 1 16 27 61
HALICTIDAE
Agapostemon sericeus 1 1 5 2 9
Agapostemon virescens 7 3 18 4 32
Halictus ligatus/poeyi 8 1 3 3 15
Lasioglossum callidum 2 1 4 18 25
Lasioglossum imitatum 28 3 182 12 225
Lasioglossum pilosum 10 1 16 67 94
Total Abundance 222 63 709 253 1247
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2015 Vol. 14, No. 4
specimens during the sampling season. Generally in terrestrial ecosystems, it is ex-
pected that most insect species in a community will be rarely collected during any
one sampling season, and most of these rare species will experience high-species
turnover on a year-to-year basis.
Of the 128 total species collected, 49.6% (64 species) were considered rare,
while 12 of the 30 genera were made-up of a majority of rare species. The 64 rare
species composed nearly 50% of the entire year’s species richness, but only 4.8%
of the total abundance. Rare bees made up only 88 of the 1817 individual bees
sampled. The family Andrenidae had the most rare species (22; 34.4% of all the
rare species).
Table 2. Bee species occurring at 3 of the 4 North Georgia Apple orchards sampled during the 2010
season, excluding Mercier Orchards. Mercier Orchards, the largest orchard in Georgia, had signifi-
cantly lower native bee species richness and abundance than all other orchards sampled.
Family/genus Species Hillside Mt.View Tiger Total
ANDRENIDAE
Andrena barbara 8 4 1 13
Andrena crataegi 76 414 71 561
Andrena fenningeri 4 2 8 14
Andrena imitatrix 1 7 3 11
Andrena miserabilis 1 1 1 3
Andrena perplexa 14 27 6 47
Andrena rugosa 1 1 1 3
Andrena sayi 1 1 1 3
Andrena violae 5 8 4 17
Calliopsis andreniformes 2 3 3 8
APIDAE
Apis mellifera 55 25 15 95
Bombus griseocollis 1 1 2 4
Bombus impatiens 3 4 9 16
Ceratina calcarata/dupla 3 2 7 12
Xylocopa virginica 17 16 27 60
HALICTIDAE
Agapostemon sericeus 1 5 2 8
Agapostemon virescens 7 18 4 29
Augochlora pura 1 11 3 15
Augochlorella aurata 3 52 6 61
Halictus confusus 4 4 3 11
Halictus ligatus/poeyi 8 3 3 14
Lasioglossum callidum 2 4 18 24
Lasioglossum imitatum 28 182 12 222
Lasioglossum pilosum 10 16 67 93
Lasioglossum puteulanum 7 2 6 15
Lasioglossum tegulare 4 1 5 10
MEGACHILIDAE
Megachile mendica 2 3 1 6
Total Abundance 269 817 289 1375
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Temporal native bee richness and abundance
We examined native bee species richness and abundance variation throughout
the year. In North Georgia, the vast majority of bee species are not active in the
environment from late October to late February due to the cold weather. The first
bees begin to emerge in late February to early March. Apples are one of the earliest
blooming commercial crops in Georgia and generally bloom around late March to
early April. Thus, early emerging native bees may play a large role in Apple pol-
lination. We divided collections from March to October into 4 parts: (1) pre-bloom,
(2) Apple bloom, (3) summer (floral dearth–a period with little to no nectar produc-
ing flowers), and (4) late summer/early fall (the period associated with late-season
flowers). Figure 1 diagrams species presence and absence from March to October.
Pre-bloom. The pre-bloom period included all collections from the initiation of
sampling to the onset of bloom, roughly March through the first week of April. In
this period, 116 bees were collected, which represented 34 species. Pre-Bloom col-
lections had the lowest abundance figures of the entire season.
Apple bloom. During the 2010 apple bloom (April 10–May 9), 1062 bees from
90 species (23 genera) were collected. The sample day of April 11 recorded the
most one-day bee totals of the year, with 390 specimens. The next 2 highest collec-
tions of the 2010 sample season were also within the bloom period (April 16 with
325 bees and April 30 with 316 bees).
The most-abundant bee species, in order of abundance, were; Andrena crataegi
(519; 48.9% of the bloom’s abundance), Lasioglossum imitatum (62; 5.8%), An-
drena (Melandrena) spp. (52; 4.9%), Andrena perplexa (38; 3.5%), and Xylocopa
virginica (35; 3.2%).
Summer (floral dearth). During the post-bloom period (May 13 to July 17), 329
bees were collected (18.1% of the 2010 collection), which represented 61 species
in 19 genera. Between May 9th
and June 19th
, an average of 58 bees were collected
each sample day.
Late summer/early fall. During this period, bee abundance spikes due to
the blooming of fall plants, particularly plants in the Asteraceae family. Dur-
ingAugust 19–October 10 2010, 310 bees were collected, or 17.1% of that year’s
collection. 35 species were present in the collection, predominantly from the
families Apidae (14 species) and Halictidae (21 species). The Halictids, especially
bees in the Genus Lasioglossum (260), accounted for the majority of the second
flight’s bee abundance.
Discussion
Native bee species richness and abundance in Georgia Apple orchards
It is important to study bee species richness, abundance, and temporal distri-
bution in order to have a better understanding of native-bee life history as well as
to determine the viability of using native bees in commercial agriculture. In our
research, we have documented the native bee species diversity and abundance
throughout the 2010 season in North Georgia Apple orchards. A total of 1817
bees were identified to species. These bees comprised 128 species in 30 genera
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2015 Vol. 14, No. 4
in 5 families. Of the 128 bee species collected during 2010, 15 bee species were
found at all 4 orchards, and 27 species were found at all the orchards except Mer-
cier Orchards (Tables 1, 2). Several of the species were quite common at all 4
orchards. These common native bee species included: Andrena crataegi, A. per-
plexa, Lasioglossum imitatum, L. pilosum, and Xylocopa virginica. These results
show that Georgia Apple orchards do exhibit a high level of native bee diversity
and possess a large number of native bees that have the potential to serve as com-
mercial apple pollinators.
Best sampling method
Pan traps and active sweep-netting were the most efficient methods to sample
the bees. They collected 1360 bees or 76% of the bees collected and 110 of the 128
species or 86% of the species present. Vane traps were the least efficient method,
collecting only 172 (9.5%) bees and 54 species. However, vane traps were better
for collecting larger bees (e.g., bumble bees), which may be large enough to escape
pan traps. The malaise traps collected the next fewest bees (285 bees or 15.7%);
however, they did collect 11 unique species. In total, a large proportion of the spe-
cies (48.4%) were collected by only one type of sampling method. These results
indicate that a combination of collection methods and traps are needed to accurately
assess the diversity of native bees in agricultural or natural habitats.
Potential commercial pollinator for the Southeast
We propose that Andrena crataegi is the best possible candidate for being a suc-
cessful commercial native pollinator for North Georgia Apple production. This bee
is likely an ideal pollinator for all rosid crops (cherries, peaches, pears, etc.) grown
in the region. The species’ sheer abundance during the bloom, generalist nature in
foraging preference, conducive morphology and behavior for pollen deposition,
and gregarious nesting behavior all indicate that A. crataegi has the best oppor-
tunity for use in North Georgia agriculture as a supplement or replacement to the
Honey Bee.
Future directions
We plan to continue our research and analysis into the native Apple-pollinator
guild of North Georgia during subsequent seasons. Some of our objectives include:
continued monitoring and characterization of the native-bee community’s abun-
dance and diversity, quantification of the pollination efficacy of Andrena crataegi
(and the other abundant native Apple pollinators), and testing specific habitat en-
richments and other artificial manipulations to the agro-environment in order to
maximize target-species abundances during the Apple bloom period.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Apple farmers (Joe Dickey, Tim Mercier, Robert
Mitchum Sr., and Robert Massee) who participated in the study. We are grateful to Sam
Droege (US Native Bee Lab, US Geological Survey, Patuxent Research Center) for his aid
in the identification of rare and difficult to identify bee species. Catherine Schlueter, Mehul
Desai, and Peter Schlueter participated in the collection and sorting of bees. Sarah Schlueter
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2015 Vol. 14, No. 4
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helped prepare the manuscript and assisted with various aspects of the project. Richard
Brown gave his significant feedback, which improved the usefulness of the manuscript.
Funding for this study was provided by a USDA-NIFA Sustainable Agriculture Research
and Education (SARE) grant OS-11-061.
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