Response of Honeybees and Other Pollinators to Attractant Application in Carrot (Daucus carota L.)

Carrot (Daucus carota) is one of the most important vegetable crops, and as a cross-pollinated species, it relies on insect pollinators for successful seed set. However, carrot flowers are not highly attractive to honeybees (Apis mellifera), which are the main managed pollinators. During the 2023–2024 season, a field experiment was conducted on commercial carrot seed plantations to evaluate the effect of a pollinator attractant on pollinator abundance and its impact on seed yield. Pollinating insects were observed during the carrot flowering period, between 20 May and 22 July, and their response to spraying with the attractant Biopolin® (ICB Pharma) was assessed. A total of nine observations were conducted, and carrot seed yield was analyzed, including germination capacity. The application of the attractant increased the number of pollinating insects by 24 individuals/m2/10 min, from 57 to 81 individuals/m2/10 min. The dominant groups were honeybees and Rhagonycha fulva, with the latter becoming increasingly abundant as flowering progressed. Both honeybees and other pollinators (wild pollinators) showed higher visitation rates on attractant-treated plots. The treated plots also produced higher seed yield and greater thousand-seed weight. The results confirm the effectiveness of using attractants in commercial carrot seed production to enhance pollinator activity and improve yield parameters.