Effects of bee pollination on melon fruit quality in eastern Zhejiang
In order to explore the effect of bee pollination on fruit quality of melon, facilities melon were pollinated by Italy bees, the changes of temperature and humidity in greenhouse during pollination and melon fruit setting rate, fruit abortion rate, single fruit weight, flesh thickness, the brix in the central part and edge part of fruit after harvest were investigated. The results showed that when the temperature reaches 46.21℃in the facility, the bees can still finish the pollination. The fruit setting rate per vine and average fruit abortion rate were 3.84 and 5.75%by using bees respectively, 1.80 higher and 8.36%lower than artificial pollination. There was no significant difference in fruit quality between bee pollination and artificial pol?lination. It showed that bee pollination could replace artificial pollination, and would not affect the fruit quality. Bee pollina?tion is suitable for facilities melon pollination in the early spring and summer and autumn.