Status of the pollination ecosystem service in agroecosystems with seed producing crops
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.24.34.1.0.2240Keywords:
entomophilous pollination, horticulture, pollen deficit, pollinator, family farmingAbstract
Insect pollination increases the quality and quantity of fruits and seeds of most of the world’s major crops. San Juan is a key region for horticultural seed production in Argentina; however, currently there is a lack of information available to ensure optimal pollination ecosystem service for crops. In this study, our objective was to determine the influence of insect pollination on the fruit set and on the quantity and quality of crops for the production of chicory, onion, radish, cabbage and pumpkin seeds. We also assessed whether those crops exhibited pollen deficit. In each lot, we compared fruit set, number of seeds formed per fruit, seed weight and germination power using different pollination treatments. We found that insect pollination acts differentially on the measured parameters, exerting a positive effect on crop pollination. Moreover, we observed that fruit set and seed formation among crops were not affected by pollen deficit. Our findings contribute to the implementation of management practices aimed at conserving pollinators, enhancing crop pollination service and promoting the economy of local farmers.
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