Re-evaluating strategies for pollinator-dependent crops: How useful is parthenocarpy?

ABSTRACT: Whilst most studies reviewing the reliance of global agriculture on insect pollination advocate increasing the 'supply' of pollinators (wild or managed) to improve crop yields, there has been little focus on altering a crop's 'demand' for pollinators.Parthenocarpy (fruit set in the absence of fertilization) is a trait which can increase fruit quantity and quality from pollinator-dependent crops by removing the need for pollination.Here we present a meta-analysis of studies examining the extent and effectiveness of parthenocarpy-promoting techniques (genetic modification, hormone application and selective breeding) currently being used commercially, or experimentally, on pollinator-dependent crops in different test environments (no pollination, hand pollination, open pollination).All techni

SUBMITTER: Knapp JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5516152 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature