Studies on insect pollinators of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
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Date
2008
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
A field study was conducted to investigate the aspects of insect pollinators
of cucumber, Cucumis sativus L., at Research Farm of the Department of Plant
Pathology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. In total 24 insect species
visited cucumber flowers, which constituted 12 Hymenopterans, 6 Lepidopterans,
3 Dipterans, 2 Hemipterans and 1 Coleopteran. Among these, Halictus sp.,
Ceratina sexmaculata and Apis dorsata were found to be the most abundant.
The abundance of C. sexmaculata (2.79 bee/m2/5 min.) was highest
followed by Halictus sp. (2.69 bee/m2/5 min.) and A. dorsata (0.78 bee/m2/5
min.). The population irrespective of their species was maximum at 0800-1000 h
of the day. Foragers of C. sexmaculata, Halictus sp. and A. dorsata commenced
their activity at 0600, 0630 and 0700 h, respectively with peak period at
0800-1000 h and ceased their activity at 1800 h (Halictus sp. and C. sexmaculata)
and at 1730 h (A. dorsata). Out of the total foragers of the day, 16.54 per cent
were pollen and 83.46 per cent were nectar collectors in case of Halictus sp.,
14.62 per cent were pollen and 85.38 per cent were nectar collectors in case of C.
sexmaculata, while in case of A. dorsata, 27.87 per cent were the pollen and 72.13
per cent were nectar collectors. Halictus sp. spent maximum time 10.84
seconds/flower. However, A. dorsata spent least time 4.94 seconds/flower but
visited maximum (8.63) flowers/minute. Based on loose pollen grains sticking on
the body and abundance, pollination index was calculated. Halictus sp. was the
most efficient pollinator of C. sativus with pollination index of 126537.60
followed by C. sexmaculata with pollination index 121699.80 and A. dorsata with
pollination index 888678.20 under agro-ecological conditions of Hisar (Haryana).
Effect of different modes of pollination on yield parameters of cucumber
showed that maximum fruit set (76.67%) was observed under Open-pollination +
hand-pollination treatment, while it was minimum (16.67%) under
Self-pollination treatment. Average fruit length, fruit weight and fruit diameter
was observed maximum (13.82 cm, 159.62 g and 3.78 cm, respectively) under
Open-pollination + hand-pollination, while these were observed minimum (4.97
cm, 21.10 g and 0.71 cm, respectively) under Self-pollination treatment.
Description
Keywords
Developmental stages, Cucumbers, Fruits, Biological phenomena, Hybrids, Grain, Honey, Sexual reproduction, Crops, Planting