The Significance of Pollination Services for Biodiesel Feedstocks, with Special Reference to Jatropha curcas L.: A Review

Abstract

The importance of pollination services for insectpollinated crops in general, and for the major biodiesel crops, such as Jatropha curcas L., in particular, is reviewed. The dependence of the major biodiesel feedstocks on pollinators ranges from almost zero to low dependence in soybean, through low to medium dependence in rapeseed, and up to high dependence in the African oil palm and in J. curcas. Currently, the basic requirement of J. curcas for pollination services is largely neglected. In light of the enormous scale of existing and future plantations of J. curcas, and of the effective pollination by native pollinators in most commercial crops, it is clear that the local insect fauna of any given habitat, on any continent, will not be able to satisfy the pollination requirements of any plantation, once it becomes established and starts blooming. It is suggested that the best way to address the pending catastrophe of severely reduced yields in J. curcas plantations that would result from reduced reproductive success would be to use honeybees as the prime pollinators, regardless of the pollination services provided by the local insect fauna. Basic research on the contribution of honeybees to the reproductive success of J. curcas should be carried out and used as a guideline for planning future provision of proper honeybee pollination services in any given plantation, characterized by its specific size, age, planting density, soil type, irrigation, fertilization, and climatic conditions.

A review of the ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations, using forests as a reference system

“…In their native range, oil palms are pollinated mainly by Elaeidobius weevils (Vaknin, ). Because oil palm yields are dramatically lower without these weevils (Greathead, ), Elaeidobius kamerunicus has been introduced into South America and Southeast Asia (Vaknin, ).…”

A synthesis of the ecosystem services impact of second generation bioenergy crop production

“…Globally it is estimated that insect-provided pollination services are worth over $200 billion dollars per year [91]; with around 84% of crop production in Europe [92], and 60% globally [93] dependent on this service. Pollination is often cited as an example of an ecosystem service that is under threat, with both managed and wild pollinator numbers showing severe reductions over the last 30 years [20].…”

Plant-pollinator interactions in Crambe abyssinicaHochst. (Brassicaceae) associated with environmental variables

“…Additionally, studies of the pollinators of commercially valuable species can aid in the production of better quality fruits and seeds (Kearns et al 1998, Barros et al 2006, Vaknin 2012.…”