Pollination Dynamics in Strawberry Cultivation

The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is reliant on effective pollination for optimal fruit set, quality and commercial value. While capable of self- and wind-pollination to some degree, strawberries depend heavily on biotic vectors—principally bees—to achieve full fertilisation of achenes and uniform fruit development. Pollinator visitation enhances seed set, fruit weight and surface regularity, thereby reducing deformities and post-harvest loss. Variations in pollination efficiency arise from factors such as pollinator species, foraging behaviour, floral architecture and agricultural practices. Global research has uncovered disparities in pollination benefit across regions and cultivars, underscoring the need for strategies that support both managed and wild pollinator communities. Advances in entomovector methods and habitat diversification offer practical routes to sustain pollination services within commercial and greenhouse systems, ensuring resilience in fruit yield and quality under changing environmental conditions.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have evaluated the use of bumblebees as vectors to deliver biocontrol agents and enhance pollination outcomes in open-field and protected environments. Seminal work has demonstrated that bumblebees can reliably disseminate fungal biofungicides across extensive ranges, reducing Botrytis cinerea infection rates and lowering reliance on synthetic fungicides. Trials reveal even spore distribution up to 100 metres from hives, with significant pathogen suppression and improved marketable yield. This entomovector technology has proven cost-effective for organic systems, providing an integrated pest-management approach that simultaneously maintains pollinator activity and fruit health.

Pollination Dynamics in Strawberry Cultivation publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in pollination dynamics in strawberry cultivation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Entomovector technology: The use of insects, typically bees, to deliver biological agents (e.g. biocontrol fungi) to crop flowers for simultaneous pollination and pest management.

Stigma receptivity: The temporal window during which the stigma of a flower can effectively receive and germinate pollen grains.

Cross-pollination: Transfer of pollen between different plants or cultivars, promoting genetic diversity and often enhancing fruit quality.

Managed pollinators: Domesticated or commercially reared insect species, such as honeybees and bumblebee colonies, deployed to supplement wild pollinator services.

Pollination efficiency: A measure of how effectively pollen transfer by pollinators results in successful fertilisation, seed set and desired crop yield.

References

1. Pollinators enhance the production of a superior strawberry – A global review and meta-analysis. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment (2024).
2. Strategies to enhance greenhouse strawberry yield through honeybee pollination behavior: a simulation study. Frontiers in Plant Science (2024).
3. Effects of Bee Density and Hive Distribution on Pollination Efficiency for Greenhouse Strawberries: A Simulation Study. Agronomy (2023).
4. Reliability of the entomovector technology using Prestop-Mix and Bombus terrestris L. as a fungal disease biocontrol method in open field. Scientific Reports (2016).
5. Local diversification enhances pollinator visitation to strawberry and may improve pollination and marketability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2022).