The Secrets Behind Fruit Quality: Unraveling the Roles of Pollinators and Pollen Varieties

Animal pollination is crucial for two thirds of the most essential crops worldwide and is estimated to hold a value of several hundred billion US dollars annually. Crops that rely entirely or partially on animal pollination (such as many fruits, nuts, and legumes) encompass more than 90 percent of the dietary vitamin C, in addition to crucial carotenoids and antioxidants. For instance, bees enhance the nutritional profile of rapeseed by raising the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and overall oil levels, in addition to boosting the oil content and fruit weight of avocados.

The research team from the University of Göttingen highlights the necessity of focusing on the particularities of the pollinator species, the variety of crops, and the pollen being transferred — as well as how this interconnection affects the fruit’s quality. Pollen transfer between distinct varieties can be hindered if the behavior of pollinators or the spatial configuration of plants alters. Consequently, the quality of the crop is contingent not only on what and how many pollinators are present but also on how various species spatially and temporally interact.

“The findings of our review indicate that future research should concentrate not just on the quantity but also significantly on the quality of crops. Ultimately, an improved nutrient profile benefits consumer health,” assert the authors Professor Teja Tscharntke, Dr. Carolina Ocampo-Ariza, and Dr. Wiebke Kämper from the Functional Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology Group at the University of Göttingen. “This entails enhancing cross-pollination by considering the varieties of crop plants and the quality of pollen. Moreover, the quality of self-pollinated versus cross-pollinated varieties ought to be compared, and the design of cultivation areas alongside the adjacent landscape should be organized so that pollinators can navigate as effectively as possible.”