Operation Pollinator™ in New Zealand
12 Sep 2021
Operation Pollinator™, the global Syngenta programme that aims to enhance biodiversity and increase the effectiveness of pollinators on commercial farms, was launched in New Zealand in July 2019. In New Zealand, Syngenta chose to work with Plant & Food Research because of our long-standing knowledge of pollinators and their impacts on key economic crops like kiwifruit and apples.
Science by Plant & Food Research underpins the New Zealand Operation Pollinator programme. The research team design on-farm habitats to promote populations of known beneficial insects, including pollinators, and minimise populations of pest species.
“Most insects depend on plants to complete their life-cycles, but it’s not a free-for-all. They commonly have preferences for which plants they use,” says Dr Brad Howlett, who leads the research team for Operation Pollinator. “By teasing apart these specialised insect-plant associations, we can actually design native plantings that encourage beneficial insects while excluding pests.”
Using this knowledge, the researchers have created a picture of which insects, including native bees, flies and beetles, are most important for kiwifruit pollination and which plants support them. They have identified a carefully selected mix of native plant species for kiwifruit orchards, including koromiko (hebes), mānuka and houhere. These plants support insects known to pollinate kiwifruit. However, they are not key hosts of damaging pest species, such as passionvine hopper.
“Adding this pollinator diversity boosts yields in many crops, compared with just using honey bees on their own,” says Dr Howlett.
Research shows that honey bees, which many farmers depend on for pollination, are not always the most efficient pollinators. Other insects can be important for crop pollination, especially during conditions or times when honey bees are less active. Scientists expect that by managing multiple species in addition to honey bees, growers will benefit from pollination that is both more effective and more resilient.
To test this idea on-orchard, Operation Pollinator has supported establishment of trial native plantings on kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty. The research team will monitor changes in insect populations and kiwifruit yields. If the plantings are successful, we are likely to see more native plants in landscapes where kiwifruit are grown.
The kiwifruit industry is entirely dependent on managed honey bees and manual pollination. Increased support for native insects should help to increase resilience and reduce concerns about pollination in this high-value crop.