The role of electrostatic forces in pollination

This paper reviews research on the role of electrostatic forces in pollination, both in natural and in agricultural systems. Researchers from various fields of biological studies have reported phenomena which they related to electrostatic forces. The theory of electrostatically mediated pollen trans...

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Published inPlant systematics and evolution Vol. 222; no. 1/4; pp. 133 - 142
Main Authors Vaknin, Y., Gan-Mor, S., Bechar, A., Ronen, B., Eisikowitch, D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Heidelberg Springer 01.01.2000
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects
Adaptiveness
Agricultural practices
Agricultural research
Bees
Election laws
Electric fields
Electrostatic properties
Electrostatics
Farming systems
Flower stigma
Flowers
Insect pollination
Insects
Oilseeds
Plant reproduction
Plants
Pollen
Pollination
Pollinators
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Summary:This paper reviews research on the role of electrostatic forces in pollination, both in natural and in agricultural systems. Researchers from various fields of biological studies have reported phenomena which they related to electrostatic forces. The theory of electrostatically mediated pollen transfer between insect pollinators and the flowers they visit is described, including recent studies which confirmed that the accumulated charges on airborne honey bees are sufficient for non-contact pollen detachment by electrostatic forces (i.e., electrostatic pollination). The most important morphological features in flower adaptiveness to electrostatic pollination were determined by means of two theoretical models of a flower exposed to an approaching charged cloud of pollen; they are style length and flower opening. Supplementary pollination by using electrostatic techniques is reported, and its possible importance in modern agriculture is discussed.
ISSN:0378-2697
1615-6110
2199-6881
DOI:10.1007/BF00984099