Integrating microbes into pollination

Abstract

Microbes (fungi, bacteria and viruses) living within flowers are hypothesized to affect pollination. We evaluate current support for this idea at each stage of the pollination process. Evidence to date is convincing that microbes influence pollinator attraction, but data are heavily weighted toward bumblebees and the effects of nectar yeasts. Effects of microbes on the efficacy of pollinator visits is understudied and variable outcomes from field studies suggest quality of pollinator visits, not only quantity, are likely involved. The effect of microbes on pollen performance is underappreciated. Beyond the effect of pathogenic viruses, the impacts of pollen-transmitted endophytic microbes on pollen viability or tube growth are unknown but could affect the outcome of pollen receipt. Future research integrating microbes into pollination should broaden taxonomic diversity of microbes, pollinators and plants and the processes under study.