Floral Biology and Impact of Bee Pollination in Mango

Author: Avinash Chauhan

Download PDF

Abstract

Mango is very important fruit crop in Nagaland and is visited by large number of insect visitors. The faunal diversity and the true pollinators of mango in this region is not recorded scientifically with a very less data is available on this aspect of mango cultivation. Keeping in view the importance of insect fauna and to know the role of specific pollination in mango, an experiment was laid out with 4 different pollination treatments i.e. stingless bee (Tetragonula iridipennis) pollination, Apis cerana pollination, open pollination and pollinator exclusion (Control). Floral biology and pollinator’s diversity of mango was studied using standard methods. Trees were caged with insect proof nylon nets for pollination treatments in 3 replications. A total of 27 major insect visitors/ pollinators’ fauna species were recorded foraging on mango. The Shannon-Wiener diversity Index revealed higher pollinator diversity. Pollination Efficiency Index (PEI) for pollinators was also calculated. The maximum diurnal abundance of pollinators recorded between 0800-1200 h and the maximum foraging rate was found with syrphid flies and stingless bees. Floral biology showed that stigma remained receptive for more than 72 hours after anthesis. Yield and quality parameters under different modes of pollination revealed bee pollination was significantly superior over crop without pollination. Without pollination the yields and quality were too less in mango. The flies of Syrphidae and bees of genus Apidae were found as major pollinators of mango in this region. With these studies, the phenology of mango and its association with the nectarophiles is established. The impact of these pollinators on mango also worked out to ascertain the specific role of pollination in mango which will help the mango growers in increasing fruit production and conservation of pollinators.

Keywords

Mango, Floral biology, Diversity index, Pollination Efficiency Index, Pollination, Stingless bees, Apis cerana, Open pollination, Impact, Production, Quality

Conclusion

In mango, 27 major insect visitor fauna species were recorded collecting nectar and pollen. Among these insect visitors, 14 major true insect pollinators’ species were observed foraging throughout the blooming period of mango. The Shannon-Wiener diversity Index of mango’s insect pollinator revealed higher diversity in this region. The syrphid flies, megachilid bees, honey bees, stingless bees and flies populations were abundant on mango flowers along with major portions of Apis and non-Apis bees and dipterans. The maximum diurnal abundance of pollinators recorded between 0800-1200 h and the maximum foraging rate was found with syrphid flies and stingless bees. In open pollination of crop, Syrphids and Megachilids are important pollinators. Floral biology of mango disclosed two different types of flowers with complex structure in panicles with stigma receptivity of 72 hours. Yield and quality parameters under different modes of pollination revealed bee pollination was superior over open pollination and without pollination. In open pollination of mango, for adequate pollination Diptera fauna should be conserved along with non Apis bees. Without pollination the yields and quality are too less in mango. The flies of Syrphidae and bees belong to genus Apidae were major true pollinators of mango. Thus, there is significant increase in yield obtained in open and bee pollinated treatments as compared to pollinator excluded treatments which infers that for increasing the yield pollination is highly required in mango. Stingless bees are alternative pollinators for managed pollination in mango.

References

-

How to cite this article

Avinash Chauhan (2023). Floral Biology and Impact of Bee Pollination in Mango. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 404-409.