Impact of bee pollination on brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) under protected condition was assessed with five pollination treatments viz., Apis mellifera L., Apis cerana F., Tetragonula iridipennis S., open pollination and control (pollinator exclusion). Comparative foraging activity and pollination efficiency index of the pollinators was recorded along with fruit production and quality parameters (fruit yield, length, diameter and weight, seed number and weight). Data revealed maximum pollination efficiency index (21) for A. cerana. The weight of fruit (96.30 g), diameter (56.54 cm), healthy fruits (53.89 %) observed with A. cerana was maximum. However, fruit length (15.10 cm), fruit yield (48.33 %) and seed weight (5.79 g) were found at par in all the pollination treatments. Significantly least crooked fruits (13.73%) were obtained when A. cerana was used, along with many folds increase in fruit set (26.69 %) and quality.
Keywords
Pollination, Apis mellifera, Apis cerana, Tetragonula iridipennis, Solanum melongena, pollination index, protected condition, yield and quality, fruit weight, length and shape
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