Pollination biology of the lingonberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. minus L.

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2002The pollination biology of lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. minus L.) was researched to determine possible modes of pollination and methods to enhance pollination for increased fruit set. A viability experiment showed that pollen germinates best in a nutrient solution with 10.5 g sucrose per 100 ml. Exposing lingonberry flowers to wind speeds up to 22 km per hr resulted in little pollen release and negligible fruit set. Vibration of flowers at 170-730 Hz showed ample pollen release at all frequencies but negligible fruit set by self pollination. Although honeybees and bumblebees frequently visited lingonberry flowers, addition of hives to wild stands did not influence fruit set. Insect visitors were examined for lingonberry pollen; those with more than 1000 tetrads per insect included: Apis millifera, Bombus terrestris, B. sylvicola, B. flavifrons flavifrons, Andrena sp. and Dialictus? (Halictidae). Entomogamy is the primary method of pollination for lingonberries