Historical agroeconomic analysis of the relationship between commercial pollinator use and <i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> (Ericales: Ericaceae) yield in Quebec, Canada (2015–2021)

Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) production has the highest export value among all fruit crops in Canada. As blueberry flowers require insect pollination, blueberry farms rely on commercial pollinators to ensure productivity of their fields. Our study aimed to assess the impact of commercial pollinator density and diversity on lowbush blueberry yield using historical data, from 2015 to 2021, across various production contexts. The analysis included 178 blueberry fields, representing approximately 3,000 ha and 11% of Québec's total crop production area. Data on field size, berry yield, commercial pollinator density/diversity (honey bees; Apis mellifera L. [Hymenoptera: Apidae]), bumble bees; Bombus impatiens Cresson [Hymenoptera: Apidae], and alfalfa leafcutter bees; Megachile rotundata Fabr. [Hymenoptera: Megachilidae]), establishment year, and management system were collected for each field. Additionally, we examined data on honey bee hive strength, landscape structure, and meteorological factors influencing yield. Results showed significant yield increase at certain densities of honey bee hives and frames, bumble bee hives and alfalfa leafcutter bee gallons. The diversity of commercial pollinators used in the fields also increased crop yield. Other key factors influencing lowbush blueberry yield included the year, snow cover during winter, field age, and frost events during pollination. This study clarifies the relationship between commercial pollinators and lowbush blueberry productivity while accounting for several other agroeconomic variables, and demonstrates that increasing managed pollinator density and diversity lead to higher yields for lowbush blueberry growers.