Pollination in chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) by Trigona laeviceps and T. minangkabau (Hymenoptera, Meliponini)

Abstract

Two species of stingless bees, Trigona minangkabau and T. leaviceps, have been known to visit chili pepper plantation in West Sumatera. The objective of research was to study pollination by T. minangkabau and T. leaviceps in increasing chili pepper yield. It was conducted using Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 3 replicates. Pollination by T. leaviceps and T. minangkabau, each could increase the following parameters: fruit sets 12.32 and 9.66%, number of seeds 56.36 and 45.91%, number of fruits 29.31 and 25.06, fruit weight per plant 66.46 and 49.75%, and yields ha-1 54.26% and 40.83% if compared to pollination by wind. However, it did not affect length and diameter of fruit. Average flower handling time by T. minangkabau was 26.00±4.52 seconds and by T. leaviceps was 26.23±4.46 seconds. Time taken to move to other flower by T. minangkabau was 7.64±2.7 seconds and by T. leaviceps was 7.87±1.88 seconds. Based on all parameters above it could be concluded that both T. minangkabau and T. laeviceps had the same effectiveness as pollinators on chili pepper plantations.