Bookshelf

Insect pollination of crops

by J B Free

Academic Press, London, UK (1993 2nd edition) 684 pages. Hardback. £88.50

The amount of data contained in this revised and updated edition of Insect pollination of crops can be described as truly awesome. It is an extremely valuable compilation of current information for all who need to know about crop pollination. Approximately 3000 references are cited, and the pertinent information they contain is distilled in the text.

The first part of the book describes insects and ways in which man can employ them to bring about pollination. Honeybees, bumble bees, solitary bees and other species are described. Usefully detailed information is given on how to conduct pollination studies. The second part of the book discusses crops (presented by family), their flower structure, insects which normally pollinate them, whether honeybees improve their pollination and if so, number of colonies needed per hectare. The behaviour of the insects on the crop, and the value of the crop (in terms of nectar and pollen) to honeybees is also given.

Understanding of the pollination science of temperate-zone crop plants is considerably greater than that of tropical crops. Throughout the book the author informs us when data is lacking. As just one example, no published information on the pollination of Euphoria longan could be found. Yet longan fruit is grown widely as cash and export crop in south-east Asia and is known to benefit from honeybee pollination. Researched, documented and accessible information on the number of honeybee colonies required to achieve optimal pollination in this crop would be of value to both crop growers and beekeepers.

Insect pollination of crops represents Professor Free’s lifetime of both undertaking pollination research and bringing together the work of other scientists. This is an important reference text and is likely to remain as one of the definitive works on the subject for many years.

Trade and the poor

by J Madeley.

Intermediate Technology Publications, London, UK (1992) 160 pages. Paperback. £13.25

This is an interesting book, full of facts which illustrate the unjust nature of the current international trading system. It provides a good understanding of developing countries’ need for international trade, the major ‘commodities involved and why prices have declined.

The author argues that if developing countries co-operate amongst themselves they could command higher prices for important commodities. One sign of hope in recent years has been the growth of alternative trading organisations (ATOs) in the North which buy direct from producers and aim to offer them a better deal from international trade. A useful list of 49 ATOs is provided.

Tropical forests and their crops

by N J H Smith, J T Williams, D L Plucknett, and J P Talbot

Cornell University Press, Ithaca, USA (1992) 568 pages. Paperback. £25.00

This book describes some of the abundant produce of tropical crops drinks, fruit, starch, oil, resins, fuelwood, fodder, spices, timber and nuts.

The history of the domestication of various crops is given, their modern uses, and the known extent of their gene pools, both domesticated and in the wild. It is an informative guide to tropical products, providing fascinating details about well-known crops used all around the world, as well as those which are still only favoured locally.

A list of over 200 perennial species (excluding medicinal and ornamental plants) includes many of our most widely used crops citrus, cocoa, coffee, rubber and reminds us of how many tropical forest plants have been domesticated. By contrast the forested areas of temperate and cold climates have provided only handful of crops, such as apple, cherry, pear and some timber species. Tropical forests represent only 7% of the Earth's surface, but the rich diversity they support explains why tropical deforestation has far more serious consequences than destruction of a similar area of temperate forest.

This book will be much enjoyed by anyone interested in tropical forest products - it is well illustrated and fascinating to “dip into”. The pollination requirement of crop is discussed where it is known. Honey and beeswax are clearly not considered as tropical forest crops within the remit of this book and are mentioned only in passing.

The New Varroa handbook

by B Mobus and C de Bruyn

Northern Bee Books, Hebden Bridge UK (1993) 160 pages. Paperback £9.00

An excellent compendium of information on the varroa mite. It is up-to-date (the authors focus findings up to February 1993) and comprehensive. It will provide beekeepers with the information they need: what varroa is, how it lives, how it harms colony of honeybees, how to detect it and most importantly, how to help honeybee colonies to survive its presence. All the well-known treatment methods are reviewed biological, physical and mechanical, and chemical. A comprehensive list of the chemicals and their various trade names is provided, but the book explains in an understandable way that it is not just the choice of chemical, but also its strength, timing and length of application which are important. Both authors write in a readable style and, while they are primarily speaking to beekeepers in the UK who are newly facing the prospect of varroa, this book will be of help to beekeepers everywhere who have assist their bees to thrive in the presence of this parasite.

Keeping bees

compiled by J B Free

Cardiff Academic Press, Cardiff, UK (1993) 172 pages. Paperback. £12.75

The Central Association of Beekeepers is a British organisation which aims to increase understanding of the science of beekeeping. This new volume compiles 18 lectures which have been presented to the Association by well-known scientists from variety of disciplines. To select few of the lectures Brother Adam discusses honeybee breeding, Rob Paxton reviews the biology and behaviour of Africanized honeybees and concludes that the detailed studies of these bees has improved our knowledge of honeybees generally, Len Heath discusses the enigma of chalk brood, and Ron Brown reflects on beeswax.

Not all of the lectures are recent ones, but they have been selected for the useful knowledge they impart. Only two of the lectures relate directly to UK beekeeping: this is an informative text of interest to beekeepers everywhere.

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