Pollination Services for Watermelon and Green Tomato Crops in Coastal Regions

Jenn Hoskins
24th July, 2024

Pollination Services for Watermelon and Green Tomato Crops in Coastal Regions

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) requires pollinators to transfer pollen from its male staminate flowers (b) to its separate female pistillate flowers (a), a key biological trait underpinning the crop's complete dependence on pollination services for fruit production.

Image adapted from: Delgado-Carrillo et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • The study in Jalisco, Mexico, found that honeybees are the main pollinators for watermelon and green tomato
  • Without pollinators, watermelon produced no fruits, and green tomato production dropped by 65%
  • There is a positive link between forest cover and pollinator abundance for green tomato, highlighting the need for habitat conservation
Bees play a pivotal role as pollinators in crops essential for human consumption. However, the global decline in bee populations poses a significant threat to pollination services and food security worldwide. The loss and degradation of habitats due to land use change are primary factors contributing to bee declines, particularly in tropical forests facing high deforestation rates. The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México conducted a study to evaluate the pollination services provided to watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and green tomato (Physalis ixocarpa) in three municipalities in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, a region with Tropical Dry Forest, during the years 2008 and 2014 to 2017[1]. The study focused on understanding the composition of the pollinator community, their visitation frequency, and the impact of pollinators on plant reproductive success. It also examined the level of pollinator dependence for each crop species and how landscape configuration influences the richness and abundance of pollinators. The researchers used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model to map and value the pollination service in both crops. The findings revealed that Apis mellifera, commonly known as the honeybee, was the primary pollinator for both watermelon and green tomato. During the dry season, honeybees were among the few abundant pollinators in the study region. In experiments where pollinators were excluded from flowers, watermelon yielded no fruits, while green tomato experienced a 65% reduction in production. This underscores the critical dependence of these crops on pollinators for fruit production. The study also observed a positive correlation between fruit set and pollinator abundance for green tomato. A significant relationship was found between forest cover and total pollinator abundance for green tomato in 2008, but not for watermelon. Additionally, there was a positive association between the abundance of bees predicted by the InVEST model and the abundance of bees observed in green tomato flowers in 2008. These results align with previous studies indicating the importance of both wild and managed bees in global crop pollination. For instance, it has been documented that wild insects, including bees, are more effective pollinators than managed honeybees in many crop systems, enhancing fruit set significantly[2]. Moreover, non-bee pollinators such as flies, beetles, and butterflies also contribute substantially to crop pollination and can provide unique benefits not offered by bees[3]. This study further supports the notion that a diverse pollinator community is crucial for stable and effective pollination services. The study's findings underscore the importance of conserving natural areas, particularly tropical forests, to support pollinator populations. Conservation efforts provide essential food and nesting resources for pollinators, which in turn help secure food production. Policymakers should prioritize the protection and restoration of habitats to maintain the diversity and abundance of pollinators, ensuring food security. In conclusion, the research conducted by the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México highlights the critical role of pollinators, especially honeybees, in the production of watermelon and green tomato in Jalisco, Mexico. It emphasizes the need for habitat conservation to support pollinator populations, which are vital for sustainable agriculture and food security.

AgricultureEnvironmentPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Pollination services to crops of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and green tomato (Physalis ixocarpa) in the coastal region of Jalisco, Mexico.

Published 23rd July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301402

Related Studies

2) Wild pollinators enhance fruit set of crops regardless of honey bee abundance.

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1230200

3) Non-bee insects are important contributors to global crop pollination.

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1517092112


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