Abundance and diversity of floral visitors in sunflowers in relation to weather parameters during the kharif season (2022)

Abstract

This study investigates the abundance, diversity, and dominance of floral visitors on sunflower during different sowing dates in the kharif season of 2022 at Main Agricultural Research Station, Raichur, Karnataka, India. The study aimed to identify key pollinators and analyse their activity patterns in relation to various environmental parameters. Apis dorsata emerged as the most dominant species, with significant variations in pollinator abundance and diversity observed across different times of the day. Correlation analyses highlighted significant relationships between pollinator activity and weather parameters. These findings provide crucial insights into the dynamics of sunflower pollination, which can inform strategies to optimize crop management and improve yields through effective pollinator conservation.