RDA Establishes 'Pollinator Utilization Technology' for Melon Production

Additional Income of 580,000 KRW for Beekeepers Using Technology

The Rural Development Administration (RDA) has established technology for using pollinating insects to ensure stable melon cultivation in facilities.

On the 1st, the RDA announced that it is conducting a pilot project on the use of pollinating insects in the melon production process and plans to expand education and technical support for farmers. As a result, it is expected that melon-producing farmers will be able to increase their income.

An RDA official explained, "As a result of applying pollinating insect technology to melon farms, labor costs were reduced, and the use of insects more efficiently increased the marketable yield rate. Compared to artificial pollination, honeybees generated about 580,000 KRW and bumblebees about 520,000 KRW of additional income per 10 ares."

According to the RDA, melon cultivation conditions vary by region in terms of timing, greenhouse type and size, and planting density. However, pollinating insects (honeybees and bumblebees) are often used based on traditional practices without consistent standards, so technology for using pollinating insects to produce melons more stably is needed.

Melons are monoecious and require pollen to be applied to the pistil for fruit set. Therefore, melon farmers either pollinate flowers by hand or use pollinating insects. As of 2020, the usage rate of pollinating insects for melons reached 73%, with an average of about 15,000 insect colonies used annually for melon production.

According to the technology established by the RDA, one honeybee hive (with 2 combs and about 5,000 worker bees) is needed per greenhouse (660㎡, based on 3,300 melon plants). The hive must contain one queen bee laying eggs, and the number of older foraging bees working outside should exceed that of younger nurse bees working inside. The hive should have chambers with eggs, larvae, and pupae.

When using bumblebees, two hives (each with 150?200 worker bees) are required per greenhouse (660㎡, based on 3,300 melon plants). Each bumblebee hive must contain one queen bee laying eggs, and the colony should be active, producing a buzzing sound when the hive is lightly tapped. The lifespan of a bumblebee colony is 30?45 days; older colonies appear darker and less active, so colonies with bright yellow coloration are preferred. Since only 15%?20% of bumblebees work outside during the day, the hive should not be tapped or kicked just because few bees are seen outside.

The best time to use pollinating insects is 2?3 days before melon flowers bloom. Bees are used for 7?14 days after introduction, during which pesticide use should be minimized. If pesticides must be applied, bees should be allowed to enter the hive the evening before spraying, the hive moved outside the greenhouse, pesticides applied, and after 1?2 days of ventilation, the hive returned inside.

Additionally, the RDA explains that worker bees used once for pollination in a greenhouse often die without returning to the hive, so hives should not be used consecutively in different greenhouses. To prevent disease spread within hives, it is also recommended not to use these bees for honey production.

Han Sang-mi, head of the Apiculture Ecology Division at the RDA, said, "We expect that efficient use of pollinating insects will help compensate for labor shortages and increase melon productivity."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.