Which type of crops benefit from bee pollination but do not require bees for fruit set?

Parthenocarpy crops are those that can develop fruit without fertilization, meaning they do not require pollen from a male flower to set fruit. While these crops can benefit from bee pollination, primarily in terms of increased fruit size and quality, they do not depend on bees for the actual process of fruit formation. This is particularly important in agriculture, as farmers may seek to enhance crop yield and quality by attracting pollinators, despite the fact that the crops themselves can still produce fruit independently.

The other options, while related to agriculture and pollination, do not accurately fit this description. Monoculture crops typically involve a single crop species being cultivated, but they often rely on pollination for fruit production. Annual crops are those that complete their life cycle in one year, and while some may benefit from bees, they usually require more traditional methods of pollination for fruit set. Self-pollinating crops, by definition, do not require external pollinators, as they can fertilize themselves, making them less reliant on bee activity. In summary, parthenocarpy crops uniquely illustrate the relationship between pollination and fruit development, highlighting how bee activity can enhance but is not essential to their fruit set.