The Physics of Pollination

Synopsis

The relationship between flowers and pollinators is a mutually beneficial one. As they have evolved together, flowers have developed many methods to increase the chance a pollinator will land on them. Some ways that flowers make their presence known to pollinators are through visual and olfactory cues, which us humans get to enjoy every time we experience the beautiful colours and wonderful scents of flowers. However recently it has been shown that flowers can also attract pollinators through the use of electric fields! Electric fields also play a role in the transfer of pollen from flowers to pollinators and back. So, what happens if something alters this field? The chemical impact of fertilizers on pollination has been well studied, but there is a physical aspect as well, as they can change the electric fields that help pollinators find flowers. 

In this presentation I will give an overview of some of the physical mechanisms flowers use to attract and aid pollinators in their search for pollen. I will focus on the special role that the electric field plays in this interaction and how industrial fertilizers can negatively impact the beneficial electric fields.