Effect of Honey Bee Pollination, Bee Attractants and Scents on Yield of Sesamum

Abstract

Sesamum is a highly cross pollinated crop, rich in oil and protein. Pollination is mostly performed by insects. Any material to increase honey bee visits to specific crop would be of great practical value to harness the benefits of cross pollination. There are very few studies on the role of bee attractants enhancing bee visitation and yield in sesame crop. Hence, the present investigations were undertaken. Apis cerana caged plots was best among all treatments showing significant effects. In caged condition with A. cerana, plants had more capsules per plant (54.00), capsule length (23.24 mm), capsule width (7.22 mm) number of seeds per capsule (54.57), test weight (3.92 g), germination (92.00 %) and vigour index (1261). Citral-a and Citral-b followed by Geraniol were the next best treatments after caged condition with A. cerana colony. Oil content, weight of green capsule did not differ significantly among the various treatments. We conclude that by keeping Apis cerana bee colonies in sesamum, yield can be enhanced. Application of Citral-a, Citral-b and Geraniol is also beneficial in enhancing the yield.