Fertilizers limit pollination by changing how bumblebees sense flowers

Researchers at the University of Bristol found that pollinating plants are less likely to land on flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides.

The study shows that chemical sprays can change the electric field around flowers for up to 25 minutes. The impact lasts much longer than natural fluctuations, which cause a reduction in bee feeding effort.

Dr. Hunting and his team at Bristol's School of Biological Sciences wanted to mimic the electrical changes caused by pesticides in the field by using flowers. bumblebees were able to discriminate against the electric field alterations caused by the chemicals.

We know that chemicals are toxic, but we don't know how they affect the relationship between plants and bees.

The flowers have a variety of signals that bees use to find flowers. Bee's use electric fields to identify plants even though they use flower odor and color.

Agrochemical application can change the behavior of bees.

A wide array of organisms that use the electric fields that are virtually everywhere in the environment may be affected by different airborne particles.

It's the first known example of noise interfering with an animal's electrical sense.

It's similar to motorboat noise that hinders the ability of fish to detect their prey, or artificial light at night that confuses moths, as a source of noise to bees trying to detect floral electrical signals.

It will hopefully allow is to introduce or invent solutions to prevent the adverse effects that these chemicals may be having on bees.

A new perspective on how human-made chemicals disturb the natural environment is offered by the fact that fertilizers affect pollinator behavior.

There is more information about the effects of synthetic fertilizers on bumblebee behavior. Academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/art... 93

Journal information: PNAS Nexus