The effect of inflorescence number and distribution along the shoot on the level of fruit-set was studied using `ON' year olive trees with a high level of floral differentiation. Reduced levels and different inflorescence distribution patterns were created artificially by hand inflorescence thinning. In most cases, removal of up to 50% of the inflorescences had either no effect on the total amo...

The reproductive success of orchids is traditionally estimated by determining the fruit-set of individuals. Here, we investigated both the fruit and the seed production of three orchid species and the factors that may affect individual fruit-set, like pollination strategy, individual traits or the annual amount of precipitation. The species [Dactylorhiza sambucina (L.) Soó, Dactylorhiza majalis...

Potential decreases in crop yield from reductions in bee-mediated pollination services threaten food production demands of a growing population. Many fruit and vegetable growers supplement their fields with bee colonies during crop bloom. The extent to which crop production requires supplementary pollination services beyond those provided by wild bees is not well documented. Pumpkin, Cucurbita ...