- 期刊
- OpenAccess
Comparison of Bee Pollinators of Coffee in Organic and Conventional Farms
並列摘要
Kenyan ＂Coffea arabica＂ L. is globally recognised for its high quality and it is used to blend other coffees in the world market. No previous studies in Kenya have identified pollinators of coffee and this necessitated the study. ＂Coffea arabica＂ was thought to be self-pollinated but recent studies have given an indication that it is amphicarpic thus needing pollinator services. This is especially for the self sterile flowers while in self fertile flowers pollination success rate is enhanced. This study assessed the diversity of bee pollinators of coffee in organic and conventional farming system in Kiambu Kenya. Sampling of bees found to evidently carry pollen and interact with anthers was done and these bees were recorded. Sixty three bee species were sampled with organic farm having 60 species and conventional farm 24 species. Bee abundance and diversity between organic and conventional farms differed significantly (t=-2.1227, df = 61, p＜0.05). Andrena (sp) possibly a new species was collected. Findings from this study revealed that wild bees other than ＂Apis mellifera＂ are important pollinators of coffee. The wild bees were few in numbers and ways of enhancing their populations should be devised.