Honey bee a boon to sunflower for pollination: An overview

Abstract

Pollination is essential for crop production, with plants relying on vectors like water, wind, and animals. Terrestrial ecosystems are mainly maintained by mutualistic interactions between animal pollinators and the flowering plants (Nicolson and Wright, 2017). Animal pollination accounts for 30% of global food production, with bees contributing to about one-third of the human diet. Insect pollination plays a crucial role in agriculture, contributing to 5–8% of the global annual crop production. This translates to an estimated economic value of US $235 to $577 billion (IPBES, 2016). Bees are especially valuable for improving crop quality and yield, benefiting global economies and diets. According to Greenleaf & Kremen, till 2006 sunflower seed production, which was an uprising industry estimated at approximately USD 10.4 million annually, was also economically supported by both honey bees and wild bees. Now this figure has been increased up to USD 49 Billion worldwide. (Indexbox Report, May 2024). This review emphasizes the importance of bee pollination in the economy, listing different types of bees and other insects involved in pollination. In hybrid sunflower cultivation, bee pollination enhances productivity, though the exact contribution of bees can sometimes be over- or underestimated. Behavioral interactions between wild and domestic bees can increase the pollination efficiency of honey bees on hybrid sunflowers by up to five times (Greenleaf & Kremen, 2006). The honeybee species Apis mellifera is especially important for pollination in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) hybrid seed production, where they transfer pollen from male fertile (MF) to male sterile (MS) cultivars.  About 90% of flowering plants need pollinators, with honeybees responsible for two-thirds of agricultural pollination. Pesticides, affected by factors like formulation, timing, and bee age, severely harm honeybees and wild pollinators. They can disrupt bees' cognition, olfaction, navigation, foraging, and other essential functions. Reduced-risk insecticides like Spinosad, Azadirachtin, and Chlorantraniliprole have shown high toxicity to stingless bee species such as P. helleri and S. xanthotrica at recommended rates. Pollinator susceptibility varies with size, age, and species. Botanical insecticides like rotenone, neem oil, and citronella oil can be lethal to some species, such as T. angustula, with citronella oil being particularly toxic. Conserving pollinators is crucial for agricultural ecosystems. Beekeepers and farmers should implement preventive measures to minimize pesticide exposure and protect honey bee hives (Pashte and Patil, 2017). Considering carryover effects is essential for effective risk assessment and conservation to mitigate pesticide impacts.