Study

Can floral field margins improve pollination and seed production in coriander Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae)?

  • Published source details Barbir J., Badenes-Pérez F.R., Fernández-Quintanilla C. & Dorado J. (2015) Can floral field margins improve pollination and seed production in coriander Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae)?. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 17, 302-308.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Crop production: Plant flowers

Action Link
Mediterranean Farmland

Pollination: Plant flowers

Action Link
Mediterranean Farmland
  1. Crop production: Plant flowers

    A replicated, controlled study in 2013 in coriander plots near Madrid, Spain, found higher seed set and seed weight in coriander next to planted flower strips, compared to coriander next to unplanted field margins. Crop yield: Seed set and seed weight were higher in coriander next to flower strips, compared to coriander next to unplanted margins (28–29% vs 18% seed set/umbel; 2.1–2.5 vs 1.0 g seed/plant). Implementation options: Similar seed set and seed weight were found in coriander next to flower strips with one flower species, compared to six flower species (28% vs 29% seed set/umbel; 2.1 vs 2.5 g seed/plant). Methods: Potted coriander plants were transplanted into the field on 1 May 2013, one month before flowering. Fifteen pots were buried 1.5 m from three field margins with one flower species (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), three margins with six flower species, or three unplanted margins (135 pots total). All margins were 1.5 x 15 m. Flowers were planted in autumn 2012.

     

  2. Pollination: Plant flowers

    A replicated, controlled study in 2013 in coriander plots near Madrid, Spain, found more pollinators on coriander flowers next to planted flower strips than on coriander flowers next to unplanted field margins. Crop visitation: More pollinators (bees, beetles, and syrphid flies) were found on coriander flowers next to flower strips than on coriander flowers next to unplanted margins (1.2–1.6 vs 0.2 pollinators/minute). Implementation options: Similar numbers of pollinators were found on coriander flowers next to flower strips with one flower species, compared to six (1.2 vs 1.6 pollinators/minute). More pollinators were found in flower strips with one flower species, compared to six (1.6 vs 0.4 pollinators/minute). Methods: Potted coriander plants were transplanted into the field on 1 May 2013, one month before flowering. Fifteen pots were buried 1.5 m from three field margins with one flower species (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), three margins with six flower species, or three unplanted margins (135 pots total). All margins were 1.5 x 15 m. Flowers were planted in autumn 2012. Pollinators were observed twice/week (3–21 June, 12 minutes/field, nine minutes/field margin), and were counted only if they touched the reproductive parts of flowers.

     

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