A5050915711- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Berry genetics and cultivation research
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Greenhouse Technology and Climate Control
- Turfgrass Adaptation and Management
- Composting and Vermicomposting Techniques
Plant & Food Research
2012-2023
The University of Agriculture, Peshawar
2023
Agriculture and Food
2019
University of Auckland
2019
To achieve maximised and sustainable crop productivity, it is critical that we develop crop-specific strategies for managing pollination. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) stingless (Tetragonula carbonaria) are considered effective pollinators of macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia). The introduction managed honey bee or hives into orchards likely to boost the numbers these insects visiting flowers; however, there a lack published information consensus regarding their management Here, identify...
Different pollinators may vary in their temporal flower-visitation patterns within crops, potentially extending the period pollination occur. To assess whether this could be case kiwifruit, we conducted standardised observational surveys of insects visiting kiwifruit flowers 31 orchards at three times: 10:00—11:00, 12:00—13:00 and 14:00—15:00 hr. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) represented 92% visitations (n=5474), but abundances were uneven (predicted lower hr). Predatory hover flies...
Abstract Context Landscape simplification is a main driver of insect decline, threatening crop pollination services. Changes in functional features simplified agroecosystems may impact the abundance wild pollinators. Objectives Here, we studied whether different pollinator groups based on life-history are differentially associated to landscape features, and how this affects service delivery. Methods Using window traps highly agroecosystem, surveyed abundances diversity with: (1) bare...
Insect pollination is key to ensuring adequate fruit yields within avocado orchards. Various bee and non-bee insect species have been considered as potential pollinators of worldwide, but in New Zealand there has little research into which visit flowers. In the Bay Plenty, an important production area, flower visitor abundance diversity data were obtained by conducting observational surveys four orchards November 2015. Honey bees dominant visitors all surveyed, representing 92.9% insects...
Macadamia is partially self-incompatible and cross-pollination considered important to improve yields. However, questions remain regarding the importance of self- vs. cross-pollination, subsequently whether managed pollinators are useful in commercial orchards. Pollinators play a key role but for self-pollination, protandrous florets might also benefit from movement potentially more viable self-pollen among florets, racemes, trees through pollinator movement. There lack information on...
Many crop plants rely on insect pollination, particularly insect-pollinated crops which are functionally dioecious. These require insects to move pollen between separate male or female. While honey bees typically considered the most important pollinator species, many other known visit but pollination contribution of full diversity these flower visitors is poorly understood. In this study, we examine role diverse pollinators for two kiwifruit cultivars as model systems dioecious crops:...
Abstract Chelifers (Pseudoscorpions) are generalist predators of small prey such as mites. Their occasional presence in honeybee hives suggests potential to exploit them part a management programme against Varroa mites ( destructor ), significant pest honeybees. Two species native New Zealand chelifers Nesochernes gracilis and Heterochernes novaezealandiae , shown consume mites, were collected from commercial nucleus or litter surrounding the hives. Methods for mass‐rearing developed provide...
Abstract The survey of insect flower visitors to crops dependent on their pollination is an essential component in determining effectiveness as pollinators. In most cases, different techniques are required for because variation planting design, floral density, spatial distribution flowers or where additional factors such the plant vigour being explored. Here we provide that have been, currently employed across New Zealand and Australia. Future studies may consider use similar designs will...
An essential prerequisite to safeguard pollinator species is characterisation of the multifaceted diversity crop pollinators, and identification drivers community changes across biogeographical gradients. The extent which intensive agriculture associated with homogenisation biological communities at large spatial scales remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated relationships between different bee for 644 species/morphospecies in 177 commercial apple orchards 33 countries four...
Honeybee colonies infested with the varroa mite (Varroa destructor) usually collapse unless they have been treated acaracides Resistance to most commonly used is increasing and no biological control options are yet available Chelifers (pseudoscorpions) generalist predators may potential as a agent This poster describes an attempt establish breeding populations of native chelifers which shown actively feed on ultimate aim testing their ability Two species (Nesochernes gracilis Heterochernes...