Project Number: 6204-21000-010-09
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Aug 01, 2011
End Date: Jul 31, 2013

Objective:
Examine the effectiveness of differing colony densities on pollen transfer and almond nut set during the 2012 season.

Approach:
Tests will be conducted near Bakersfield, CA, in cooperation with several almond growers, a prominent honey bee broker (Scientific Ag), and several beekeepers. Pairs of mature almond orchards will be matched for cultivar, tree age, and management practices. One orchard of each pair will be assigned either a high honey bee colony density or a low density. Orchards will be monitored for honey bee visitation rate, pollen transfer, pollination rate, nut set, and total yield.