Observations on the pollination of red clover by bees

Abstract

SUMMARYThe pollinators of red clover are described and the relationship between the number of seeds set per head and the yield of clover seed is recorded.Two methods of recording insect pollination in relation to the numbers of seed set per head of clover were explored in 1955. In 1956 and 1957 recording of actual crops of seed was continued.Certain species of humble‐bees are important in the production of singlecut red clover seed, and in the production of doublecut red clover seed in 1956, although another factor, possibly honey‐bees, was dominant in 1957.There was no indication that ‘robbing’ was associated with a lower ‘seed set’; on the contrary in 1957 it was associated with a higher ‘set’, possibly because it attracted honey‐bees to the crop.The data showed that the numbers of the different species of humble‐bees varied, but gave no indication of the relative effectiveness of the various species in pollination. Those present in greatest numbers were of most value for pollinating red clover.Pests and diseases likely to reduce seed set were found to be negligible during 1955, 1956 and 1957. Differences in fertility between one field and another were small.