Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen among different plants or varieties of the same species. This process increases fruit yield and, often, the size of the fruit.
Honey bees are important pollinators because they can be managed and easily moved to crop sites.
In Georgia, bee hives are rented to pollinate apples, blueberries, cucumbers and watermelons. Professional recommendations vary for the number of hives needed for good pollination, but for these crops 1-2 colonies per acre is commonly used. If the pollen is compatible, fertilization of the ovule and seed formation occur. Generally, more seeds develop when large numbers of pollen grains are transferred. Seeds, in turn, stimulate surrounding ovary tissue to develop so that, for example, an apple with many seeds will be larger than one with fewer seeds.