About 35% of the crops grown for consumption depends on pollinators. In the Netherlands most commonly bumble bees and honey bees are used. Fruit crops, greenhouse crops and seed crops are among the crops in which they are used. In recent years research by bees@wur has made a substantial contribution to the use of pollinating insects in greenhouse vegetable crops, where innovations are continuous.
Fruit growing
A large area of fruit is grown in the Netherlands. Apples and pears are the main crops but ‘new’ crops such as bilberries are grown as well. Bees and bumblebees can contribute to the pollination that is required to achieve good fruit setting. Bees@wur has much knowledge on pollination, conducts field research, and keeps good contacts with beekeepers and fruit growers.
Greenhouse horticulture
Greenhouse horticulture is a sector with a large number of technical innovations in areas such as energy saving and optimization of production processes. Suppelmental lighting, which is used in ornamental crops, but also in tomato and sweet pepper, is a good example. Light ensures plants getting sufficient light for growing, also on cloudy days and during winter. In practice bumblebees were found to have difficulties with this alternative light. Bees@wur has conducted research into the cause of these problems.