Hang around flora- the pollination enhancers of apple, of Kashmir Himalaya

Abstract

Fruit industry is the back bone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. Prosperity and growth of this industry depends upon number of factors including pollination in three componential apple orchards. Proper pollination demands enhanced population of pollinators which in turn depends upon availability of food and congenial atmosphere. Kashmir valley abounds in rich floristic diversity of herbaceous and arboreal taxa including food providing plants for pollinators. Twenty six species of hang around flora, acting as food source before apple bloom, for twelve species of pollinators, which bio-spin to apple orchards are documented in this paper. Prunus domestica, P. armeniaca and Astragalus grahamianus, exhibited highest hang around capacity. Apis was most generalized pollinator genus. Salix caprea reflected maximum magnetic power. Highest nectar content was recorded in Eriobotyria japonica.