Evaluation of the impact of melliferous plants on pollinator attraction in strawberry crops

Abstract

Pollination is crucial for biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and agricultural productivity; however, certain agricultural practices do not favor the establishment and development of pollinators. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of melliferous plants on the attraction of pollinators associated with a strawberry crop. A statistical analysis of event occurrence during the strawberry flowering process was conducted, along with observations of pollinator visits (one observation per week over eight weeks) at the Universidad Tecnológica de Xicotepec de Juárez in Xicotepec, Puebla, Mexico. To assess effectiveness, pollinator visits to melliferous plants and strawberry plants were recorded. The data were analyzed using the LIFETEST procedure in SAS. The results show the attraction of various types of pollinators, such as native bees, butterflies, wasps, and ants; statistically, pollinators showed a preference for flowers of melliferous plants rather than strawberry plants (Log-Rank, χ²: 4.8, df: 1, p = 0.027). The implementation of melliferous plants at the cultivation site proved to be an effective strategy for increasing pollinator attraction compared to the established crop, with additional secondary benefits resulting from the presence of pollinators at the site.