THE INFLUENCE OF HONEYBEE POLLINATION ON FRUIT SET OF THE LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY

Inconsistent results were obtained when the fruit set was determined in blueberry fields with and without the service of honeybees. Adverse weather conditions curtailed pollinator activity and this was reflected in poor fruit set. The advantage of using honeybees was more evident in the season which had a short period of bloom. No significant increase in percentage fruit set was obtained when the number of colonies of honeybees per acre was increased. There was also no correlation between percentage fruit set and composition of plant stand.