UK: Making farming better for bees; can we breed crops that produce more nectar and pollen?

Published 2024년 11월 6일

Tridge summary

The article highlights two studies on the effect of crop varieties on insect populations and the potential of breeding crops to produce more nectar and pollen. The first study found that red clover varieties vary in their ability to attract insects, with some being much more attractive. The second study looked at spring oilseed rape, which provides a lot of nectar and pollen but most is not collected by bees. It suggests that summer-blooming crops that produce additional nectar could be more beneficial for wildlife. The article also discusses the UK government's 2023 sustainable farming incentive and suggests that planting bee-friendly crop varieties could be a way to help wildlife without reducing land for food production.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

(MENAFN- The Conversation) Where once there were vast areas of forest and other natural habitats, farmland now covers much of Earth – including 70% of the UK . This transition has helped feed a growing number of people. However, replacing ecosystems rich in species with Agriculture – and intensifying food production on established farmland – carries costs for the environment and wildlife. Worldwide, insect populations are declining rapidly . Farming schemes that alleviate this damage are being devised, including the UK government's 2023 sustainable farming incentive . Among other things, this will aid bees and other flower-visiting insects. These insects are a substantial part of biodiversity (the UK has roughly 260 species of bee) and pollinate many wildflowers and crops. One incentive under the scheme pays farmers and managers to spare some land for nature by planting wildflower seeds. But what if there was a way to help pollinators at no cost, without removing land from food ...

Source: Menafn