Can Commercial Bee Attractants Influence in Increasing Bee Pollination and Productivityof Mustard, Brassica campestris L.?

Honeybees are considered as most efficient pollinators in the ecosystem and utilization of bees as pollinators for various agri-horticultural crops is of great significance in increasing crop productivity through pollination. The different concentrations of Bee-Q and Fruit boostTM? was evaluated to understand the honeybee visitation pattern of target crop for improving pollination efficiency. The bee visitations on Mustard flowers were observed for two weeks followed by estimation of seed yield. The observations indicate that, Bee-Q at 12.5g/l and Fruit boost at 0.75ml/l of Mustard plots significantly attracted highest number of bee foragers than the control plots. The present investigation suggests that the bee attractants increase marginal percentage of bee visitation, seed yield and germination percentage of Mustard

Influence of bee attractants on pollination and yield parameters in Guava (Psidium guajava L.)

The use of bee attractants, Bee-Q, Bee Scent and Fruit Boost™ in the pollination of guava was evaluated. The bee visitation on guava flowers was made for a week, followed by estimation of quantitative and qualitative parameters in fruits. The different concentrations of bee attractants were evaluated to understand the honeybee visitation pattern of target crop for improving pollination efficiency. The observations indicate that the best mean foraging time on guava flowers was observed at 1000 hours (6.78) followed by 1200 hours (4.89) and 1400 hours st (3.78) . Bee scent @ 1.5 ml/l (15.67) was the most effective bee attractant in increasing bee visitation on the 1 day of spray in guava. Bee scent @ 2 ml/l (14.00) significantly attracted higher number of bee foragers than the control in guava plots. In addition, the plants sprayed with bee attractants significantly enhanced the length, diameter, and weight of fruits and total soluble sugars in guava. The present investigation suggests that the bee attractants increase marginal percentage of bee visitation and fruit parameters in guava

Influence of bee-attractants on yield parameters of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) (cucurbitaceae)

Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) is an important green vegetable among cucurbitaceous crops. It is highly cross-pollinated and depends on various pollinating agents. Studies were made on foraging time and frequency of honeybee visitation on Ridge gourd, influence of bee-attractants in increasing bee visitation, effectiveness of bee-attractants in yield parameters on Ridge gourd at Kuntanahalli, Bangalore district, India. The crop was raised with recommended package of practices in RBD (Randomized Block Design) having 5x5m plot size with a spacing of 5 m in the farmers field during Kharif season of 2007. Treatments involved were, spraying of Bee-Q @ 10, 12,5 and 15 gms/l, Fruit boost @ 0.50, 0.75 and 1 ml/l, Cinnamon leaf extract @ 5, Tuberose floral scented water, 10 sugar solution and crop deprived is control, which is open pollinated. Spraying of Fruit boost @ 0.5 ml/l and Bee-Q @ 12.5 gms/l enhanced yield parameters like number of fruits / plant to 19.00 and 17.00 fruits, when compared to 10.66 fruits / plant in open pollinated plot. Number of fruits was 21.83 and 20.83 fruits / plot, when compared to15.68 fruits / plot in open pollinated plots. Fruit length was 42.41 and 41.21cm, when compared to 32.95 cm in open pollinated plots. Fruit weight was 285.00 and 246.33 gms, when compared to 229.67 gms in open pollinated plots and yield was 154.00 and 152.00 q/ha, when compared to 130.67 q/ha in open pollinated plots were studied. © IDOSI Publications, 2011