Pollinators are a key factor for a good soybean crop. Iowa State University researchers say bees can help increase those yields.
Entomologist Matt O’Neal says while soybeans do not require insect pollination to produce yields, he has found evidence that soybean plants visited by bees can boost those numbers by as much as 18 percent. His research is starting to focus on how promoting pollinator habits can benefit other row crops.
Other schools like the University of Missouri are focused in similar studies. Their Master Pollinator Program stresses that 35 percent of our food depends on animal pollination.
