Bee Pollination of Crops in Ohio
Bulletin 559
Agricultural Crops in Ohio Requiring or Benefiting from Bee
Pollination
Many crops grown in Ohio are pollinated by bees (Table 1), and depend
totally or partly upon bees for complete pollination. Of the bee
species known to man, the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.), is the most
important pollinator due to its abundance and manageability by
beekeepers. Other species of bees such as leaf cutter bees in the
western U.S.A. and Canada provide pollination services in some areas,
but their population numbers are variable and difficult to manage.
Also populations of other bees have been depleted by present
agricultural practices.
Table 1: Agricultural Crops in Ohio Requiring or Benefiting from Bee
Pollination
Leguminosae
- Alfalfa
- Clovers
- Sweetclovers
- Annual White
- Annual Yellow
- True Clovers
- Alsike
- Crimson
- Ladino
- Red
- White
- Field and Broad Bean
- Lespedeza (bush)
- Lima Bean
- Sainfoin
- Trefoil
- Vetch
Liliaceae (Allium)
- Asparagus
- Chive
- Garlice
- Leek
- Onion
Malvaceae
Cruciferae
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Chinese cabbage
- Collard
- Horseradish
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Mustard
- Radish
- Rape
- Rutabaga
- Turnip
Cucurbitaceae
- Cantaloup (Muskmelon)
- Cucumber (Pickling and Fresh Market)
- Gourd
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Watermelon
Umbelliferae
- Carrot
- Celery
- Parsley
- Parsnip
Miscellaneous
- Beets (Garden and Sugar)
- Buckwheat
- Flax
- Lettuce
- Linseed
- Rhubarb
- Safflower
- Sunflower
- Sweet potato
Fruits, Nuts, and Berries
- Apple
- Apricot
- Blackberry
- Blackcurrent
- Blueberry
- Cherry
- Chestnut
- Dewberry
- Gooseberry
- Grape
- Huckleberry
- Peach
- Pear
- Plum
- Prune
- Raspberry
- Redcurrent
- Strawberry
*Some crops grown in Ohio depend upon seed produced elsewhere.
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