Strawberry, which used to be typically grown in field conditions, had the growth system changed to be produced under protected environment. However, the harvested fruits in this system may show a certain deformation due to the insects pollination's deficit. In this work the strawberry yield was evaluated under protected cultivation, using stinglees bees (Meliponinae) Jatai as a pollination agent. Four strawberry cultivars (Oso Grande, Tudla, Chandler, and Dover) were evaluated in the presence of Tetragonisca angustula L. (Jatai bee), using two, four, and no beehives. A completely randomized design in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme with seven replications and six plants per plot was used. The yield of Oso Grande, Tudla, and Chandler cultivars increased in the presence of Jataí beehives, in pollination in protected culture. The Dover cultivar is not dependent of pollination agent. Under protected cultivation the presence of Jatai beehives is indispensable for the marketable production of strawberry fruits. A density of four beehives with 170 m² of protected area is recommended.
Fragaria X ananassa Duch.; Tetragonisca angustula; yield components; productivity; pollination
