Breeding-mediated flower trait changes reduce the contribution of native pollinators to fruit yield stability in agroecosystems

Native pollinators greatly contribute to plant yield, which underpins global food security. However, breeding significantly alters plant flower traits, and the effects of breeding-mediated flower trait changes on sustainable agroecosystem production via the plant–pollinator relationship is unclear. An economically important oilseed tree ( Camellia oleifera ) was considered in this study to resolve this critical question. Breeding based on fruit traits induced significant changes in flower anthesis and size, which subsequently affected the plant–native pollinator relationship and even the pollinator specialization of plants. Changes in anthesis decreased the interactions between plants and pollinators; smaller flowers decreased the attractiveness of plants to pollinators, while larger flowers decreased the pollen transfer efficiency of pollinators. Additionally, the pollen transfer efficiency of pollinators contributed more to the plant fruit set than the attractiveness of plants to pollinators. Thus, breeding may decrease the contribution of native pollinators to the fruit yield of plants, especially that of large-flowered varieties. Overall, breeding-mediated flower trait changes will diminish the contribution of native pollinators to sustainable production in agroecosystems, highlighting the importance of managed pollinators in future agroecosystem production. Additionally, we call for including pollination syndrome in domestication syndrome in future agriculture, ensuring sustainable agroecosystems for future food security.