AUGMENTATION OF POLLINATION BY BEES (Apis Cerana F. and Apis Mellifera L.) AND IT’S EFFECT ON YIELD OF CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS
Research Type
Departmental Research
Experiment Background
Utilization of pollinators especially honeybees is considered as one of the cheapest and eco-friendly approach in maximizing the yield of cross pollinated crops (Free, 1970). Many investigations have consistently confirmed that yield levels can be increased to an extent of 50 to 60 per cent in fruits and plantation crops, 45 to 50 per cent in sunflower, sesamum and niger and 100 to 150 per cent in cucurbitaceous crops, through good management of pollinators (Melnichenko and Khalifman, 1960). Insect pollination of crops is an essential crop management practice and should be utilized skillfully by harnessing the activity of domestic honeybees, wild bees and other pollinators including solitary bees. Achievement of desired pollination lies in the planned and efficient use of honey bees to increase the yield as well as improving qualitative and quantitative parameters of the crop.
Cucurbits form an important and vast group of vegetable crops cultivated extensively in India. The cucurbitaceae family comprises of many species of vines with creeping growth habit viz. watermelon, pumpkin, cucumber, muskmelon, chow-chow, coccinia, bittergourd, ridgegourd, ashgourd etc.
Experiment Group
Plant Protection
Unit Type
(01)RESEARCH UNIT
Unit
(58)AGRICULTURE EXPERIMENTAL STATION (PARIA)
Department
(284)Agriculture Experimental Station Paria
BudgetHead
(325/12401/00)325/05/REG/02461
Objective
To study the pollinator fauna of cucumber and their foraging behavior.
To study the influence of augmentation of honey bee (Apis cerena F. and Apis mellifera L.) on yield of cucumber.