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Projects & Results

Reliable and effective use of managed bees for canola pollination

Project Details

Lead Researcher(s)

Shelley Hoover

Co-Researcher(s)

Ralph Cartar, Stephen Pernal

Funding Partners

SaskCanola

April 2014 - March 2017

Complete

The Challenge

Although canola in Alberta is self-compatible, the beekeeping and canola industry relies on each other to increase the quality and quantity of each commodity. Ensuring that the relationship is understood, and each commodity is managed optimally for mutual benefits is required.

The Project

Through supplying guidelines on how to best manage pollinators, determine how they can be used effectively to increase canola seed quality and yield. On top of managed honey and leaf cutter bees, wild pollinators will be investigated for their contributions.

The Results

Pollination diversity and abundance benefit canola yield and seed quality. A mutualistic relationship is proven to exist between the two when managed properly to maintain bee health and produce high canola yields.

Grower Benefits

Large numbers of pollinators are required to substantially increase canola yield, but small incremental increases in profit can largely impact overall economic benefit in Canada. Therefore, when managing each individual field, honey bees, leaf cutter bees and wild pollinators all need to be taken into consideration.

Keywords:

Bees, Pollination, Beneficials, Honeybees, Wild Pollinators, Leafcutter Bees