Influence of honey bees on fruit-set and production of shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa) in the Sahelian parklands

Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) is an important fruit tree in the West African parklands; its successful pollination is a requirement for fruit production. A study was conducted to monitor the leafing, flowering and fruiting patterns of Vitellaria paradoxa. The aim was to understand whether or not the presence of beehives increased the frequency of visitation of honey bees to target trees, thereby enhancing fruit production in Mali. Vitellaria trees shed most of their leaves in the dry season (January-April) when the atmospheric relative humidity is low and a combination of other climatic factors, higher average minimum temperatures) ensures dry conditions. Flowering occurs during this period (February-May) when the moisture stress is high, and trees are leafless. Fruit growth starts at the end of the dry season (May-September). Fruit harvesting mainly occurs from June to September, during the rainy season when the soil is well supplied with plant-available water. This study revealed that the presence of beehives in the parklands is likely to increase the visitation intensity to shea trees, thus improving cross-pollination fruiting. However, its implication on higher yields, particularly fruit weight or fruit quantity per tree, needs to be further investigated. The study, which combined quantitative data collection with visual observation, revealed that the presence of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) was important for pollination, and thus the production of fruit. Other visitors, including nectarivorous insects, such as stingless bees and birds, have also been observed in Mali.

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