New Application Ideas - Electro-Horticulture - page 111

Attraction of Pollinators
We now know that plants that thrive under electrical influence not only respire more,
but experience an increase the production of aromatic compounds that are synthesized
in response to certain stimuli (e.g. insect attack). We also know that oftentimes plants
will become more green in color, in both stems and leaves, indicating an improvement in
photosynthesis and subsequently, sugar or energy production.
With these changes going on behind the scenes, pollinating insects may find themselves
more attracted to the sweet smell of electrically-charged plants compared to normally
grown ones 8 . Furthermore, since respiration is also increased, plants can be expected to
thus “exhale” more of its perfume into the atmosphere, drawing in more bees, wasps, and
other pollinating species. If this can be field-verified, then the use electroculture can create
significant benefits to farmers who need pollination services.
Taking this a step further would be using electroculture to attract bees and other desired
insects to a particular crop of interest. By having a field grown in this manner with your
own colonies of bees serving it, you can encourage them to take in pollen and nectar
from the healthier form of electrically-stimulated plants. For organic farmers and honey
producers, this can be a way of helping to keep honey bees close to home, with the goal of
producing an especially aromatic perfume that may be helpful for keeping your bees away
from other properties where chemical or genetically-treated crops may be grown.
This will result in not only healthier bees that will be less susceptible to pathogens, but
alsoend-productsthatwillbebetterforthehealthandwell-beingoftheconsumer.Imagine
being able to create the conditions for a healthier set of bee-related products ranging from
honey, to pollen, and even beeswax.
Another application would be using electricity-stimulated crops to steer bees towards a
particularly desiredcrop,especially whenmultiple nectar-producingvarieties areinseason
at the same time. For instance, if you have a crop of lavender and you want honey that's
primarily composed of lavender-based nectar, then you can turn that crop on and direct
most of your bees to that crop. A side benefit for the electro- apiarist (A new term), would
be the benefit of attracting other bees in the area to your crop with a magnified scent of
nectar. Assuming that you're following natural beekeeping practices, it may also be a best
practice for the native bees.