Do plant ploidy and pollinator tongue length interact to cause low seed yield in red clover?

The loss of long-tongued pollinator species and dominance a few short-tongued generalist species, related to agricultural intensification in recent decades, may have consequences for the quality, quantity, stability yields insect-pollinated crops. Interestingly, changes community coincide with an increase poor variable seed yield red clover, important crop green manure forage production. However, date we lack holistic understanding factors that drive clover To remedy this, plant traits visitation, behavior, pollination efficiency four diploid five tetraploid cultivars during three years common garden setting. Tetraploid produced 52% fewer seeds 41% lower weight per flower head compared cultivars. They also had heads plant, larger florets, pollen viability than diploids. Pollinator shorter tongues visited more frequently longer deposited showed higher terms after single visits. Our results suggest while both benefit from presence longer-tongued be sensitive these bumble bee intensively cultivated landscapes.