Role of pollination in fruit crops: A review
Pollination means transfer of viable pollen from mature anther to receptive stigma. Flowers are fully dependent on vector to move pollen. These vectors may be wind, water, birds, butterflies, bats and other animals that visit flowers. An abundance of pollinators sets a greater proportion of early flowers, results in an earlier and more uniform crop with higher quantity as well as quality of fruit. Insects contribute between 15% and 30% of global food production. Honey bees are primary pollinators for the majority of the world's angiosperms, pollinating about 66% of the world's 1500 crop species, accounting for 15 30% of food production. The flower type, shape, colour, odor, nectar and structure are very important for the types of pollinators that visit them. The characteristics are considered as pollination syndromes traits and can be used to predict the type of pollinator which helps the flower in successful pollination. But there are significant gaps in the available knowledge. The information that is available is often not consistent nor is it conclusive. Much of the information available is drawn from international experience and its direct relevance and applicability to Australia circumstances may be questionable for other country. These factors would suggest that the potential use of pollination services according to the country, region and climatic condition should be practiced.