I have a question regarding the viability of pollen, for the puposes of
subsequent pollination, that is collected in pollen traps from the
honeybee's pollen baskets.
 
Specifically the question involves the pollen of sunflower, if that makes a
difference.  A breeder of hybrid sunflowers wishes to use pollen collected
from bees to subsequently pollinate other sunflowers.  (The pollen clumps
are to be dried and separated.)  Hand collected pollen is usually viable for
about two months if stored properly, however moisture adversely affects
viability.
 
My questions therefore:
 
        1. Is the clumped pollen collected from bees in pollen traps of
higher moisture than the pollen shed by plants?
        2. Does the bee add moisture, or any other substance, to the pollen
to cause clumping or is it merely clumped because it is mechanically packed
together?
        3. Does anyone know of references regarding the viability of pollen,
for pollination purposes, of bee collected pollen?
 
 
Whitney Cranshaw
Department of Entomology
Colorado State University
Ft. Collins, CO  80523
 
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