Honey Bees–Potential pollinators in hybrid seed production of sunflower.

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to find out the role of honeybees on pollination, seed setting and seed quality of hybrid sunflower. The foraging behavior of natural bee visitants was studied on the parental lines of sunflower hybrid NDSH1 during the flowering period. Most predominant bees observed are Rock bees, Apis dorsata, European bee, Apis mellifera, Indian bee, Apis cerana indica and Stingless bees, Trigona irridipenis. Bee visitants are more on R line compared to A line. The seed setting percentage and seed yield were significantly increased when the honeybees were supplemented to the open pollination. The yields were drastically reduced when the crop was covered with insect proof net. In addition, increased seedling vigour, germination%, field emergence, oil content and quality of seed was observed with the deployment of honey bees coupled with supplemental hand pollination.