Effects of insect tripping on seed yield of common bean

• Published in: Crop science 1999-03, Vol.39 (2), p.428-433
• Main Authors: Ibarra-Perez, F.J, Barnhart, D, Ehdaie, B, Knio, K.M, Waines, J.G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Beans; Biological and medical sciences; Biology and morphogenesis of the reproductive apparatus. Photoperiodism, vernalisation; Bombus; Crop yield; Cultivars; Economic plant physiology; Environmental aspects; Flowering, floral biology, reproduction patterns; flowers; fruit set; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; genotype-environment interaction; Growth and development; Insects; open pollination; Phaseolus vulgaris; Plant physiology and development; pods; pollination; Pollination by insects; pollinators; seed productivity; seed set; Seeds; Vegetative and sexual reproduction, floral biology, fructification
• ISSN: 0011-183X; 1435-0653
• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci1999.0011183X0039000200022x

Insect tripping might enhance seed production in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The effect of flower visits by insects on seed production was studied during 3 yr, 1992 to 1994, in Riverside, CA, using four cultivars with different growth habits: Linden, Pindak, PI 164778, and Ferry Morse 53 (FM53). Each year, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with four replicates was used. Each cultivar was grown under three treatments: (i) exposed to open visitation by all insects, (ii) in insect-proof cages, and (iii) in cages with bumblebees. All pods produced by bean plants were collected and counted, and seed yield was determined. Year-to-year variation had significant impact on cultivar performance and treatment effects. The bean lines were significantly different for seed yield. The treatment effects were not consistent across years. The old cultivar FM 53 and line PI 164778 had no clear trend for seed yield response to insect visits across years, whereas Linden and Pindak showed a more defined and positive response to visits. Seed yield of Linden was similar in the open visitation and caged plants, by 13% in 1992 and by 35% in 1994. Pindak showed a 9% increase in seed yield when plants were visited by insects in the open or in caged treatments compared with caged plants in 1992. The results indicate that cultivars such as Linden and Pindak, which behave as determinate plants, may respond to bumblebee tripping by increasing seed yield.