Studies on floral handling time of pollinators on different treatments in sunflower (Helianthus annus L.)

Abstract

Sunflower, Helianthus annus L. is a valuable crop because of its economic and ornamental benefits. Studies on floral handling time of different pollinators in sunflower were conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Tiruchirappalli from August, 2019 to October, 2019. Experiment was conducted with seven different treatment such as plants caged with nylon net and allowing Apis cerana indica (T1), plants caged with nylon net and allowing Apis mellifera (T2), flowers sprayed with sugar syrup 5% (T3), flowers sprayed with Probiotic spray 10% (T4), flowers sprayed with cinnamon spray 10% (T5), flowers dusted with sugar dust (T6), open pollination (control) (T7). Observations were recorded on the floral handling time of pollinators. The overall mean obtained from the observation during 7.00 AM to 4.00 PM indicates the predominance of stingless bees (16.07 seconds), which spend more time on flower heads than all other pollinators studied. It was followed by Italian bees (13.37 seconds) and Indian bees (6.07 seconds) whereas the least time was spent by skipper (0.13 seconds).sugar dust treatment (T6) was identified as the best treatment, as floral handling time of pollinators was higher (6.67 seconds) comparing to all other treatments.