We compared the fruit set and the quality of the ‘Niitaka’ pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) among flowers pollinated by two bee species (Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris) and pollinated artificial. The artificial pollination rate was 1.3 to 1.9 times higher than the bee pollination rate. Moreover, the artificially pollinated flowers produced fruit that was 5 to 10% higher in weight, 2 to 3% larger in size, and had a higher fruit shape index (L/D) than fruit pollinated by the bees. On economic analysis, net profit from insect pollinator was 93.5 to 97.1% of net profit from artificial pollination. Therefore, artificial pollination is more efficient than bee pollination in ‘Niitaka’ pear. However, regarding fruit quality and net profit, these results suggest that bee pollination can be an good alternative to artificial pollination in ‘Niitaka’ pear.

• 이경용(국립농업과학원 곤충산업과) | Kyeong-Yong Lee
• 임순희(국립원예특작과학원 배연구소) | Sun-Hee Yim
• 서호진(국립원예특작과학원 배연구소) | Ho-Jin Seo
• 김선영(국립농업과학원 곤충산업과) | Sun-Young Kim
• 윤형주(국립농업과학원 곤충산업과) | Hyung-Joo Yoon Corresponding author