How we breed crops might make them less delicious to the bees they depend on
thebeereport.substack.com
As we breed crops to grow bigger and faster, they’re less delicious to the bees they depend on Photo: Emily Bailes, School of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London Whenever we talk about the connection between bees and our food system, the conversation inevitably flows one way: Bees are critical to the success of our crops. But in reality, the connection flows both ways. Our crops are also critical to the success of bees. If we expect bees to continue spreading pollen on our farms, then they need to get something in return. Unfortunately, we're discovering that our breeding efforts are making some crops less attractive and beneficial to bees.
How we breed crops might make them less delicious to the bees they depend on
How we breed crops might make them less…
How we breed crops might make them less delicious to the bees they depend on
As we breed crops to grow bigger and faster, they’re less delicious to the bees they depend on Photo: Emily Bailes, School of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London Whenever we talk about the connection between bees and our food system, the conversation inevitably flows one way: Bees are critical to the success of our crops. But in reality, the connection flows both ways. Our crops are also critical to the success of bees. If we expect bees to continue spreading pollen on our farms, then they need to get something in return. Unfortunately, we're discovering that our breeding efforts are making some crops less attractive and beneficial to bees.