Across- and along-row pollen dispersal in high-density apple orchards: Insights from allozyme markers |
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| Authors: | Paul Kron C Brian G Peter G Kevan |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Botany University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario,, N1G 2W1, Canadabhusband@uoguelph.ca;3. Department of Botany University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario,, N1G 2W1, Canada;4. Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada |
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| Abstract: | SummaryThe organization of most high-density orchards of apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) into single-cultivar rows is often viewed as an impediment to effective pollen dispersal and pollination; however, few direct estimates of pollen dispersal are available to assess the extent of this problem. We estimated the magnitude of pollen dispersal across rows (pollinator cultivars: Idared, Vista Bella, Granny Smith), and along rows, (pollinator cultivars Fuji, Paulared, Golden Russet), in two high-density orchards in Ontario, Canada. Fruit were sampled from trees at regular intervals along transects that extended beyond (either across or along row) each pollinator cultivar and the percentage of seeds that were sired by the pollen donor was estimated using allozyme markers. Seeds sired by the pollinator cultivar were found from seven (‘Granny Smith’) to 18 rows (‘Idared’) from the nearest pollinator tree and from seven (‘Fuji’, ‘Paulared’) to five trees (‘Granny Smith’) down the same row. Measured in metres, the maximum pollen dispersal distance was greater across rows (62.4.m) than along rows (13.7.m). However, the average dispersal distance across rows, expressed in metres or trees, (17.4.±m.3.6, 3.6.±0.7 trees) did not differ from that along rows (5.8.m.±4.1, 2.7.±0.8 trees). These results are at odds with previous studies that indicate that honeybees move farther along rows than across, and have important implications for the design of commercial apple orchards. |
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