Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science
Volume
33
Publication Date
1-1-1952
First Page
36
Last Page
37
Abstract
Pollination studies in Oklahoma have been underway for several years, but most of the effort has been directed toward the production of alfalfa seed. During the 1951 season, we also made some preliminary tests to determine the effect of honey bees on the production of vetch seed. These observations were made at the Red Plains Experiment Station near Guthrie, Oklahoma. The field of vetch at this station consisted of about sixty acres. Mr. Harley Daniels, the superintendent of the station, made arrangements with Mr. Lyman Coe, Entomologist of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma, to supply the bees for pollination of this field. The bees were moved into the field early in June at about the time the vetch was coming into full bloom. There was an average of two colonies per acre. The hives were distributed over the fields in groups of 15 to 20 colonies per location, so that if the bees from the various groups ranged in a radius of one-fourth mile from their home location, their activities would easily overlap. The heaviest concentration of bees was perhaps toward the south end of the field. Since the prevailing wind was from the southwest, it gave this group of bees the advantage of drifting with the wind over the main portion of the field.
Recommended Citation
Bieberdorf, G. A., "Honey Bees and Vetch Pollination" (1952). Ba. Paper 151.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_ba/151