Abstract
The creeping clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a natural allotetraploid allogamous species and is characterized by an entomophilic xenogamous pollination method. One of the reasons for the low yield of clover seeds is the insufficient provision of its flowering grass stands with pollinating insects. The main pollinators are representatives of the order of hymenoptera insects (Himenoptera) from the family of true bees (Apidae) – the honey bee Apis mellifera L. and various species of bumblebees (Bombus). Studies have shown that in the conditions of the Central Non-Chernozem region of Russia, the role of bumblebees in the pollination of creeping clover did not exceed 12-13%. In the presence of bumblebees in different growing seasons in the amount of 30-80 to 110-170 indivi-duals/ha during the mass flowering of creeping clover, they -ensured the formation of seed yields of no more than 90 kg/ha. It is established that honey bees perform up to 87-88% of clover pollination. The highest collections of creeping clover seeds are formed at the flight density of bees of 18-21 thousand individuals per hectare. This makes it possible to form a biological clover yield over 720 kg/ha. To ensure such a rich flight of bees, it is necessary to have at least 2-3 strong bee colonies on clover crops.
Highlights
The problem of increasing the seed productivity of creeping clover, considering the high ecological adaptation potential of this crop, can be solved only if a set of agrotechnical methods is applied in a targeted manner, primarily contributing to the formation of grass stands with the maximum number of well-developed heads per unit area and creating conditions for their pollination [1, 2]
In conditions of clover seed production concentration, wild insects do not play a significant role in pollination due to their decreasing number and significant fluctuations in the number over the years
The analysis showed that the role of bumblebees in creeping clover pollination did not exceed 12-13%
Summary
The problem of increasing the seed productivity of creeping clover, considering the high ecological adaptation potential of this crop, can be solved only if a set of agrotechnical methods is applied in a targeted manner, primarily contributing to the formation of grass stands with the maximum number of well-developed heads per unit area and creating conditions for their pollination [1, 2].To increase the seed production efficiency, detailed knowledge of the method of species reproduction, based on the study of its biological characteristics, is necessary. The problem of increasing the seed productivity of creeping clover, considering the high ecological adaptation potential of this crop, can be solved only if a set of agrotechnical methods is applied in a targeted manner, primarily contributing to the formation of grass stands with the maximum number of well-developed heads per unit area and creating conditions for their pollination [1, 2]. If any conditions do not correspond to the optimum, for example, the illumination for full-fledged photosynthesis at the post-fertilization stage, it can lead to the abortion of a large proportion of already fertilized eggs and developing seeds [4]. After the beginning of their flowering, if they are not pollinated, they remain open for 5-8 days, but the number of seeds set in them decreases by 60% in case of pollination delay by the fifth day [6]
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