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

Abstract

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