Lutsiv V. Use of melliferous bees and Osmias for the pollination of alfalfa and tomatoes in Carpathian region

It is experimentally proved that such bees as Osmia Rufa and Osmia Cornuta are in fact pollinators of alfalfa and tomatoes in greenhouse conditions and could be effectively used. The author of the thesis proved that the main role in alfalfa pollination is played by melliferous bees and 18 species of wild bees as well as bumblebees. It is investigated that solitary wild bees of Osmia Rufa and Osmia Cornuta species are the pollinators of alfalfa as well as tomatoes in the greenhouse conditions. The technological analysis of pollen, taken from the osmia's nest, registered the presence of tomato pollen, and that proves the affiliation of osmias with the pollination of this crop. When using bees for the pollination of tomatoes in greenhouses the obligatory steps are stepwise of beehive with new lots of osmias, and periodical replenishment of melliferous bees families with frames with limited quantity of perch (0.6-0.8 kg). It is investigated that the alfalfa pollination by the melliferous bees resulted in 0.33 of seeds per 1 flower, and by wild bees - in 1.15 seeds. It is recommended to bring 5-6 bee families per hectare having availability of wild solitary bees. It is needed to breed wild solitary bees to increase their population. The use of melliferous bees and osmias is economically advantageously. Key words: melliferous bees, wild solitary bees, osmia, alfalfa, tomatoes, pollination, poll.