Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

The objective of this project is to address the need for a native bumblebee pollinator product for greenhouse tomato crops in western biogeographical zones. The pollination efficacy of two native western bumblebee species, Bombus huntii and Bombus vosnesenskii will be compared with the non-native species B. impatiens currently in use in greenhouses. The partnership between the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Biobest Canada Ltd., and The Bug Factory Ltd will bring together strong expertise and facilities to support this research. Pollination efficacy will be determined by examining parameters of hive and worker activity, proportion of workers returning with pollen loads, size of those loads, crop uniformity, fruit size and yield. The two companies will benefit from being able to provide a sustainable pollination solution with technical support to the large greenhouse tomato industry, and additionally to the expanding outdoor crop pollination market. The university will benefit from the training opportunities for students, staff and faculty, and by increasing the profile of the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture to work with local industries to develop products that support sustainable agriculture in our region and beyond. The knowledge base about western bumblebee pollinators will be broadened and a practical solution to protect endangered native bees will result.