US-20260124216-A1 - METHOD FOR INCREASING POLLINATION IN CROPS SUSCEPTIBLE TO POLLINATION OF INVERTEBRATES OF THE APIDEAE FAMILIES

US20260124216A1US 20260124216 A1US20260124216 A1US 20260124216A1US-20260124216-A1

Abstract

A method for increasing pollination, crop quality and/or crop yield and/or seed production in agricultural or horticultural crops susceptible of pollination through invertebrates of the Apidae families (bees), in particular honey bees (Apini), bumble bees (Bombini), or stingless honey bees (Meliponini), including providing agricultural, horticultural crops, or bee-yards where bees are placed in transit prior to or after pollination, providing one or more beehives within or in the immediate vicinity of the agricultural or horticultural crops to pollinate the agricultural or horticultural crops during the pollination period of the agricultural or horticultural crops or greenhouse crops or partially covered crops, in particular tunnel crops, and administering to the beehives a pollen supplement composition.

Inventors

Thierry Bogaert
Jan BOGAERT

Assignees

APIX BIOSCIENCES N.V.
PHYTANT

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241107

Claims (15)

1 . A method for increasing pollination, crop quality and/or crop yield and/or seed production in agricultural or horticultural crops susceptible of pollination through invertebrates of the Apidae families (bees), in particular honey bees (Apini), bumble bees (Bombini), or stingless honey bees (Meliponini), comprising: providing agricultural, horticultural crops, seed production crops or bee-yards where bees are placed in transit prior to or after pollination; providing one or more beehives within or in the immediate vicinity of the agricultural or horticultural crops to pollinate the agricultural or horticultural crops during the pollination period of the agricultural or horticultural crops or greenhouse crops or partially covered crops, in particular tunnel crops; administering to the beehives a pollen supplement composition 2-3 months prior to entry and at entry during a part or the full pollination period of the agricultural or horticultural crops; and/or during transportation from one crop to another crop; and/or in the holding yards; wherein the pollen supplement composition compensates for one or more dietary deficits in the amount or quality of the pollen of the agricultural or horticultural crops; and/or in the environment; wherein the pollen supplement composition is free of pollen or comprises minor amounts of pollen, preferably less than 15 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 10 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 5 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 1 w % of pollen; optionally wherein the pollen supplement composition comprises one or more of: fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids is 5:1 to 1:20, preferably from 5:1 to 1:10, even more preferably from 2:1 to 1:5 (omega-6: omega-3) and wherein the omega-6 fatty acid preferably is linoleic acid and/or wherein the omega-3 fatty acid preferably is α-linolenic acid; and/or sterols in an amount from 0.01 w % to 4 w % wherein the sterols preferably are one or more of cholesterol, 24-methylene cholesterol, fucosterol, isofucosterol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol; and even more preferably comprise all aforementioned sterols; and/or proanthocyanidins (multimers and/or monomers or their glucosides) in amount from 0.001 w % to 1 w %; and wherein the w % is as compared to the total dry weight of the pollen supplement composition.
2 . A method for increasing bee performance, comprising: providing a pollen supplement composition; and administering a pollen supplement composition to invertebrates of the Apidae families (bees), in particular honey bees (Apini), bumble bees (Bombini), or stingless honey bees (Meliponini); wherein the pollen supplement composition is administered during the pollination period to bees deployed for pollination of the agricultural or horticultural crops susceptible of pollination by bees; wherein the pollen supplement composition compensates one or more dietary deficits in the pollen of the agricultural or horticultural crops; and optionally wherein the pollen supplement composition comprises one or more of: fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids is 5:1 to 1:20, preferably from 5:1 to 1:10, even more preferably from 2:1 to 1:5 (omega-6: omega-3) and wherein the omega-6 fatty acid preferably is linoleic acid and/or wherein the omega-3 fatty acid preferably is α-linolenic acid; sterols in an amount from 0.01 w % to 4 w % wherein the sterols preferably are one or more of cholesterol, 24-methylene cholesterol, fucosterol, isofucosterol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol; and even more preferably comprise all aforementioned sterols; and/or proanthocyanidins in amount from 0.001 w % to 1 w %; wherein the pollen supplement composition is free of pollen or comprises minor amounts of pollen as an appetizer, preferably less than 15 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 10 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 5 w % of pollen, and wherein the w % is as compared to the total dry weight of the pollen supplement composition providing agricultural or horticultural crops.
3 . A method for recovering performance of bees after the deployment for pollination of agricultural or horticultural crops susceptible of pollination by invertebrates of the Apidae families (bees), in particular honey bees (Apini), bumble bees (Bombini), or stingless honey bees (Meliponini), such as in a holding yard, comprising: providing agricultural or horticultural crops; providing one or more beehives within or in the immediate vicinity of the agricultural or horticultural crops to pollinate the agricultural or horticultural crops during the pollination period of the agricultural or horticultural crops or greenhouse crops or partially covered crops, in particular tunnel crops; administering to the beehives a pollen supplement composition Optionally during a part or the full pollination period of the agricultural or horticultural crops; and/or During transportation from one crop to another crop; and/or in the holding yards; wherein the pollen supplement composition compensates for one or more dietary deficits in the amount or quality of the pollen of the agricultural or horticultural crops; and/or in the environment; wherein the pollen supplement composition is free of pollen or comprises minor amounts of pollen, preferably less than 15 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 10 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 5 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 1 w % of pollen; optionally wherein the pollen supplement composition comprises one or more of: fatty acids comprising omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids wherein the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids is 5:1 to 1:20, preferably from 5:1 to 1:10, even more preferably from 2:1 to 1:5 (omega-6: omega-3) and wherein the omega-6 fatty acid preferably is linoleic acid and/or wherein the omega-3 fatty acid preferably is α-linolenic acid; and/or sterols in an amount from 0.01 w % to 4 w % wherein the sterols preferably are one or more of cholesterol, 24-methylene cholesterol, fucosterol, isofucosterol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol; and even more preferably comprise all aforementioned sterols; and/or proanthocyanidins (multimers and/or monomers or their glucosides) in amount from 0.001 w % to 1 w %; and wherein the w % is as compared to the total dry weight of the pollen supplement composition.
4 . A method for preparing bees for deployment in pollination of agricultural or horticultural crops susceptible of pollination by invertebrates of the Apidae families (bees), in particular honey bees (Apini), bumble bees (Bombini), or stingless honey bees (Meliponini), such as in a holding yard, comprising: providing a pollen supplement composition; and administering a pollen supplement composition to bees in advance of their deployment for pollination of agricultural or horticultural crops susceptible of pollination by bees; providing agricultural or horticultural crops; providing one or more beehives within or in the immediate vicinity of the agricultural or horticultural crops to pollinate the agricultural or horticultural crops during the pollination period of the agricultural or horticultural crops or greenhouse crops or partially covered crops, in particular tunnel crops; administering to the beehives a pollen supplement composition during a part or the full pollination period of the agricultural or horticultural crops; and/or during transportation from one crop to another crop; and/or in the holding yards; wherein the pollen supplement composition compensates for one or more dietary deficits in the amount or quality of the pollen of the agricultural or horticultural crops; and/or in the environment; wherein the pollen supplement composition is free of pollen or comprises minor amounts of pollen, preferably less than 15 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 10 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 5 w % of pollen, even more preferably less than 1 w % of pollen; optionally wherein the pollen supplement composition comprises one or more of: fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids is 5:1 to 1:20, preferably from 5:1 to 1:10, even more preferably from 2:1 to 1:5 (omega-6: omega-3) and wherein the omega-6 fatty acid preferably is linoleic acid and/or wherein the omega-3 fatty acid preferably is α-linolenic acid; and/or sterols in an amount from 0.01 w % to 4 w % wherein the sterols preferably are one or more of cholesterol, 24-methylene cholesterol, fucosterol, isofucosterol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol; and even more preferably comprise all aforementioned sterols; and/or proanthocyanidins (multimers and/or monomers or their glucosides) in amount from 0.001 w % to 1 w %; and wherein the w % is as compared to the total dry weight of the pollen supplement composition.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the source of the proanthocyanidins is a non-pollen tissue of one or more of Solanaceae, Poaceae, Ranunculaceae, Fabaceae, Corylaceae, Cranberry/Blueberry; Apple (Rosaceae), Vitaceae.
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pollen supplement composition further comprises amino acids in an amount of 10 w % to 30 w %, preferably 15 w % to 25 w %, wherein the amount of essential amino acids is 10 w % to 15 w % arginine; 3 w % to 8 w % histidine; 1 w % to 5 w % isoleucine; 8 w % to 13 w % leucine; 40 w % to 50 w % lysine; 2 w % to 7 w % methionine; 3 w % to 8 w % phenylalanine; 4 w % to 9 w % threonine; 5 w % to 15 w % valine; and/or 5 w % to 10 w % tryptophan as compared to the total of essential amino acids in the pollen supplement composition.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pollen supplement composition further comprises one or more of vitamins, preferably one or more of B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B9, B7, B12, Inositol, A, C, E, Choline, preferably in a concentration of 0.0001 w % to 2 w %, preferably from 0.02 w % to 1 w %; minerals, preferably one or more of zinc, iron, manganese, magnesium, copper, potassium, phosphorous, calcium and sodium; wherein the w % is as compared to the total dry weight of the pollen supplement composition.
8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the background of the pollen supplement composition is as follows: protein: 10 w % to 30 w %, preferably 15 w % to 25 w %, carbohydrates, preferably sugars, even more preferably glucose, fructose or a mixture thereof: 0 w % to 70 w %, preferably 15 w % to 60 w %, lipids comprising the sterols and fatty acids: 1 w % to 15 w %, preferably 5 w % to 10 w %; wherein the w % is as compared to the total dry weight of the pollen supplement composition.
9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pollen supplement composition is as follows: dry matter: 60 w % to 90 w %; ash: 0.5 w % to 5 w %, preferably 1 w % to 4 w %; and fiber: 0.1 w % to 5 w %, preferably 0.5 w % to 1 w %, wherein the w % is as compared to the total dry weight of the pollen supplement composition.
10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the dry matter of the pollen supplement composition is 70 w % or more, preferably 75 w % or more, even more preferably 80 w % or more, wherein the w % is as compared to the total dry weight of the pollen supplement composition.
11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the crop is a monoculture and wherein monoculture means a field cultivated with plants of one genus or one species of at least 0.2 ha, preferably at least 1 ha, preferably at least 5 ha, even more preferably at least 10 ha, even more preferably at least 50 ha, even more preferably at least 100 ha or in case of seed production an insect screened enclosure.
12 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the agricultural crop is of one or more of the following families: Ericaceae, preferably blueberry ( Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus ), or cranberry ( Vaccinium subg. Oxycoccus ) Rosaceae, preferably almond ( Prunus amygdalus ), Apple ( Malus domestica ), cherry ( Prunus avium ), pear ( Pyrus communis ), raspberry ( Rubus idaeus ), blackberry ( Rubus subg. Rubus ) Asteraceae, preferably sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), Brassicaceae, preferably canola ( Brassica napus ), Rapeseed ( Brassica napus subsp napus ), Cabbage (red, green, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts), ( Brassica oleracea ) Lauraceae: Avocado Cucurbitaceae, preferably cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.), melon ( Cucumis melo L.), watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ), calabash ( Lagenaria siceraria ), or pumpkin ( Cucurbita spp.) Umbellifers; Apiaceae, preferably carrot ( Daucus carota ) or fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ); Amaryllidaceae, preferably onion ( Allium cepa L.) Rutaceae, preferably citrus (Citrus L.), or Fabaceae, preferably alphalpha ( Medicago sativa ), soy ( Glycine max ), or peas ( Lathyrus oleraceus ), wherein the horticultural crop is of one or more of the following families: Cucurbitaceae, preferably zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo ), or Solanaceae, preferably Aubergine ( Solanum melongena ).
13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pollen supplement composition is free of or does only contain minor amounts, such as less than 5 w %, preferably less than 1 w %, even more preferably less than 0.1 w % of one or more of bee pheromones, sabinene, beta-pinene, limonene, nicotine, caffeine, floral fragrance components, isophorone and 4-oxoisophorone, citral, benzaldehyde, linalool, alpha-pinene, cinnamyl alcohol, and cis-3-hexenyl acetate.
14 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pollen supplement composition is administered in solid form such as a patty or in liquid form such as a solution or spray; inside or outside the beehive.
15 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the increased bee performance and/or the increased pollination, crop quality and/or crop yield are obtained by one or more of: Reduced colony mortality; Increased number of bees produced; Increased number of capped brood; Increased bee population size; Improved bee fitness and vitality; Increased pollination performance; Increased fruit quality, preferably size, shape or form; Increased fruit quantity, and Reduced rejection rate of fruit Increased vegetable quantity or fruit quality, preferably size, shape or form, Increased vegetable quantity or fruit quantity, Reduced rejection rate of vegetables fruit, and Increased seed quantity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for increasing pollination, crop quality, crop yield and/or seed production in agricultural or horticultural crops susceptible of pollination through invertebrates of the Apidae families (bees), in particular honey bees (Apini), bumble bees (Bombini), or stingless honey bees (Meliponini). BACKGROUND Honeybees, the principal managed pollinators, are essential for global agricultural economies, global food security and diversity. Worldwide, around 70% of crop plants accounting for 35% of production volume rely on pollination by insects to some degree (14) (15) (16) (17). Few plants produce pollen that meet all nutritional requirements of honeybees. Many crops (including blueberries and sunflowers) produce pollen that are nutritionally inadequate for honeybees. Hence, bees require access to pollen from different floral sources (10). At the end of the summer, longer lived winter bees are produced that hibernate together with the queen and raise the first generation of new worker bees in the spring. The colonies require well fed and long-lived winter bees (120 days) to successfully overwinter and set up the next generation. Continuous brood production is required to ensure effective functioning of the colony (10). Inadequate or interrupted colony nutrition results in gaps in brood production, gaps in distinct age cohorts delivering a specific task in the hive (18) (19) and bees with reduced longevity, reduced flight capabilities, reduced behavior, and reduced homing and communication capabilities, each a strong impactor of colony growth. A pollen or nutrition gaps have season-long impacts on colony health and immunity, tolerance to stressors (pathogens, pesticides, weather) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) and may lead to colony mortality (25) (26) (27) (28). Many honeybee colonies are chronically starved due to a lack of a continuous supply of nutritionally adequate pollen from diverse flower sources. These shortages are driven by reduced availability of pesticide free forage areas, and reduced flower diversity due to monoculture agriculture and urbanization. This is exacerbated by climate change that produces unpredictable flowering patterns, untimely rain and cold events as well as extreme weather events (26) (29). Overall, this malnutrition impairs the colonies' ability to withstand pathogens, pesticides, and abiotic stressors, and results in colonies that pollinate less efficiently, and the unsustainable rates of colony morbidity and mortality observed today in many countries. It is well established that well-fed bees and larger colonies are more effective in pollinating crops and results in higher crop yield and quality. It is not likely that our landscapes will revert to the florally rich biodiverse landscapes honeybees require, and that agriculture will become less intensive. Feeding adequate pollen replacement to honeybees is potentially part of a long-term solution. To mitigate insufficient and unpredictable pollen availability, many beekeepers today stock hives at low densities in distantly spaced bee-yards and relocate colonies over long distances to areas with natural pollen and nectar flow where they can impact native wildlife and plant biodiversity (18). In the U.S., many professional beekeepers provide supplementary feeds to their colonies, often in the form of a dough-like protein supplement patty, from September onwards to prepare their colonies for winter and in the spring to boost colony growth in January ahead of almond pollination. Field trials of currently available pollen patties during periods when there is pollen flow have not shown a utility in increasing honeybee performance. Commercially available pollen supplement patties lack nutritional balance and cannot sustain colonies without access to natural pollen (30) (31). The inventors showed this in the reference examples below with two leading and widely used commercial protein supplements for honeybees. SUMMARY The present inventors surprisingly found that addressing dietary deficits in the pollen of a mono crop before, during, and/or after deployment with a pollen supplement composition increases the fitness of the pollinators deployed to the crops and thereby the pollination efficiency, crop quality, crop yield and/or seed production in agricultural or horticultural crops susceptible of pollination through invertebrates of the Apidae families (bees), in particular honey bees (Apini), bumble bees (Bombini), or stingless honey bees (Meliponini). The artificial pollen supplement composition is particularly useful for honeybees to provide a complete pollen-replacing feed and can improve the performance of honeybees while deployed in commercial pollination in field crops and greenhouse crops and other stressful conditions such as storage in bee-yards. Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is a method for increasing pollination, crop quality and/or crop yield and/or s