Role of honeybees in the pollination of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.)

Abstract

Significant differences in different modes of pollination on fennel were found during two consecutive years. The mean number of flowers/umbel were recorded maximum in open to all insect pollinators i.e 272.30 and 265.40, respectively during the mentioned year, followed by crop caged with Apis mellifera (244.70 & 227.90). The number of filled seeds/umbel were recorded significantly higher in open to all insect pollinators (209.66 & 192.73) followed by Apis mellifera pollinated crop (171.40, 157.25). The per cent seed set was maximum (76.99 & 72.61) in open to all insect pollinators whereas Apis mellifera pollinated crop showed significantly higher (70.04 & 69.00) seed setting as compared to self-pollinated crop (55.52 & 48.75). The 1000-seeds weights were significantly higher in open to all insect pollinators (6.50 & 6.30 g) in comparison to Apis mellifera pollinated crop (5.90 & 5.80 g). The seed yield obtained from open to all insect pollinators was highest (13.75 & 12.80 q/ha) while the plots with Apis mellifera was (12.90 & 11.50 q/ha), statistically higher than self-pollinated crop (8.80 & 7.90 q/ha). The maximum germination (84.00 & 82.50) per cent was recorded in open to all insect pollinators followed by Apis mellifera pollinated crop (79.50 & 77.25) per cent whereas minimum was recorded in self-pollinated crop (57.75 & 55.50) per cent in the mentioned year, respectively.