publication . Other literature type . Article . 2011

Low hybrid onion seed yields relate to honey bee visits and insecticide use

Name: Low hybrid onion seed yields relate to honey bee visits and insecticide use
Keywords: Plant Sciences, ONION SEED, POLLINATION, INSECTICIDES, Agronomy and Crop Sciences, Agronomy and Crop Science, Plant Science, Forestry, Agriculture, S, Agriculture (General), S1-972

Lora A. Morandin; Rachael Long;

Open Access

Published: 01 Jul 2011

Publisher: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)

Country: United States

Summary

Abstract

Onion thrips, previously considered of minor importance to hybrid onion seed production in California, vector the newly introduced iris yellow spot virus, a serious pathogen of onions that can cause significant yield losses. Insecticide use to control onion thrips has increased in onion seed fields, coincident with a steep decrease in yields, especially in Colusa County. We examined a number of possible contributing factors and found a strong positive correlation between honey bee activity and onion seed set, indicating that a lack of pollination may be contributing to the reduced yields. In addition, honey bee visits to onion flowers were negatively correlated ...

doi: 10.3733/ca.v065n03p155

Subjects

Medical Subject Headings: food and beveragesfungi

free text keywords: Plant Sciences, ONION SEED, POLLINATION, INSECTICIDES, Agronomy and Crop Sciences, Agronomy and Crop Science, Plant Science, Forestry, Agriculture, S, Agriculture (General), S1-972, Positive correlation, Field size, Pollinator, Agronomy, Honey bee, Honey Bees, Biology, Crop

Related Organizations