REDAPOL: Pollination and Fruit-set Prediction Model for ‘Delicious’ Apples

Abstract
A computer-based model simulating the interaction of weather, bloom, and honey bee Apis mellifera L., foraging activity that culminate in ‘Delicious’ fruit-set is described. The model predicts the percentage of blossoms setting fruit based upon weather conditions, orchard design, tree characteristics, and honey bee colonies per hectare. Simulation results indicated that temperature, ratio of pollinizer to ‘Delicious’ trees, and colonies per hectare had the greatest effect on fruit-set. The use of systems science techniques to solve pollination problems in agricultural ecosystems is discussed.