Impact of pollination by European honey bee, Apis mellifera L. on the yield and quality of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruits in India

Abstract

Studies were conducted at National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL), Muzaffarpur, Bihar during 2010 and 2011 to understand foraging behaviour of bees and non-bee pollinators in litchi, and to investigate the influence of pollination by Italian honey bee, Apis mellifera on fruit set, yield and quality of litchi fruits. The results revealed that insects visiting litchi flowers were mainly bee species (Apis mellifera, A. dorsata, A. cerana indica and A. florea), flies, wasps and beetles. Apis mellifera was recorded as the dominant forager on litchi flowers (48.13%) followed by A. cerana indica (37.16%). The maximum foraging activity of A. mellifera was at 08:00 AM followed by 10:00 AM in both open and controlled pollination conditions, while non-bee insect pollinators showed maximum foraging at 12:00 noon followed by02:00 PM. Thedata indicated that fruit set increased gradually with increased number of visits/panicle/hour in close vicinity to bee colonies. The maximum fruit set (2.41–1.68%) was recorded in the trees which were nearest to the A. mellifera bee colonies. The maximum increment in fruit yield (160.82%) compared to open pollination without bee hives was recorded in trees nearest to A. mellifera bee colonies. There was considerable enhancement in quality parameters like fruit mass and pulp: seed ratio. The results conclusively proved the role of A. mellifera as efficient pollinator of litchi.