Ocorrência de abelhas (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) em cultivo de Rosáceas e seus efeitos na polinização e qualidade de frutos

Abstract

The bees are essential insects in pollination in natural environments and agroecosystems, contributing indispensably to food production. In recent years, Brazilian agribusiness has been standing out in fruit production, elevating the country to the third largest world producer. The pollination service provided by these insects contributes to this prominent position. Despite this relevant position, the productive sector still faces several edaphoclimatic, phytosanitary challenges and mainly in need of pollinators. Thus, knowing the diversity of bees supports the adoption of efficient management and conservation measures. The objective of this work was, first, to know the abundance and richness of the apifauna in apple and peach cultivations, and later to evaluate the physical-chemical characteristics of the apple cv. Eva, peach cv. Eldorado and plum cv. Reubennel produced in plants with open flowers and / or protected the visitation of bees at EPAMIG Experimental Station, in the municipality of Maria da Fé, Minas. In order to know the abundance and richness of bees present in the area, two collection methods were used. The first using Pantrap traps (yellow in color) supplied with saline solution (10% NaCl) and neutral detergent; the second Pet traps with Bio Anastrepha® hydrolyzed protein solution, diluted in water (5% v/v). In order to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of the fruits, the following parameters were measured: mass, fruit diameters, levels of titratable acidity (AT), soluble solids (SS) and the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity (SS / AT). In the first experiment, 6,224 and 3,676 individuals were collected from the apple and peach trees using the Pantrap trap and 6,676 individuals, respectively, and the Pet trap 9,696 and 10,038 individuals, respectively, distributed in four families (Andrenidae, Apidae, Halictidae and Megachilidae) and 11 tribes . The bee Apis mellifera was the main visiting insect on the apple tree, followed by the native bee Trigona spinipes. In the peach tree the most expressive floral visitors were T. spinipes, followed by A. mellifera, these two species of bees dominant in these cultures and positively influence pollination. In this work it can be seen that T. spinipes is considered an important agent in the pollination of apple and peach trees, forming abundant and active populations, collecting mostly pollen as a food resource, staying longer in each flower and not affecting (causing injuries) apple and peach blossoms. The second experiment shows a significant difference in the physical and chemical characteristics between the fruits from pollinated flowers for those from protected / deprived flowers. In general, there was an increase in its mass, diameter, SS content and in the SS / AT ratio, providing improvements in its sensory characteristics, acidity, flavor and the sweetness of these fruits in the three cultures. Pollination carried out by bees on apple, peach and plum climatic fruits improve their productivity and the quality of the fruits developed, satisfying consumer demands.