Deciphering pollination implications of Apis cerana, Apis mellifera L. on yield of mango (Mangifera indica) in urban landscape

Abstract

Honeybees play a significant role in the plant–pollinator interactions of many flowering plants. The ecological consequences in urban landscape have not been well studied. The efficacy of pollination by two honey bee species, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, in mango flowers in the field condition was examined in the present study. The number of honeybees of these two species and other pollinators foraging on the open branches were also observed regularly during three different timings (i.e., 9.00 am, 12.00 pm, and 3.00 pm) in a day. Apis cerana population showed that it was directly proportional to the emergence of flowers and similar 33 phenomenon was observed at the shedding of flowers. Significantly higher fruit yield (78%) in open-pollinated branches than closed-branches (22%) was recorded. Moreover, fruit size and quality were better in open-pollinated branches than closed-branches (covered with muslin cloth). We concluded that A. cerana was more active than A. mellifera during flowering and shedding in mango. This study will help to manipulate the timings of insecticide spray because the populations of honey bees and other pollinators will not be affected if spray done in the late evening (18.00 pm to 19.00 pm).