STUDIES ON SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF HONEY BEE ON MUSTARD WITH REFERENCE TO FORAGING PATTERN AND YIELD PARAMETERS
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Date
2022
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DRPCAU, PUSA
Abstract
The experiment entitled “STUDIES ON SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL
DISTRIBUTION OF HONEY BEE ON MUSTARD WITH REFERENCE TO
FORAGING PATTERN AND YIELD PARAMETRES” was carried out at
Beekeeping Unit, TCA, Dholi (Muzaffarpur) and University Apiary, RPCAU, Pusa
(Samastipur) during „Rabi 2021-22‟ on cultivation of mustard „Rajendra suflum‟.
Various observations were taken for calculating distribution, foraging pattern of
honey bee species and yield parameters.
Spatial distribution of bee species in Pusa and Dholi showed that population
of Apis mellifera was comparatively higher at Pusa (16.92 ± 3.21/ m2/10 minutes) as
compared to Dholi (14.52 ± 3.14/ m2/10 minutes), whereas others species of honey
bees viz Apis cerana, Apis dorsata and Apis florea were more abundant in Dholi as
compared Pusa. Apis florea and Apis cerana were most abundant during early
flowering and mid flowering stage, respectively, whereas Apis mellifera and Apis
dorsata were abundant at peak flowering stage at both the places. Maximum
population (Number of bee / m2/10 minutes) of Apis mellifera (27.79, 25.62), Apis
dorsata (15.71, 22.08), Apis cerana (12.78, 19.22) and Apis florea (10.63, 16.27)
were observed at 13:00, 15:00, 11:00 and 09:00 at Dholi and Pusa, respectively.
Population of Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata increased with increase in temperature
while population reduced with increasing relative humidity, whereas Apis florea and
Apis cerana showed exactly opposite pattern.
Duration of foraging was maximum in Apis dorsata and minimum in Apis
florea. Initiation time of Apis dorsata was 6:59 AM which was earliest of all and
activity ceased at 17:24 PM. Foraging speed was maximum in Apis dorsata (9.35
sec.) followed by Apis mellifera (9.12 sec.), Apis cerana (8.45 sec.) and Apis florea
(7.23 sec.). Foraging rate was highest in Apis florea (20.41 flowers) followed by Apis
cerana (14.88 flowers), Apis mellifera (14.49 flowers) and Apis dorsata (8.24
flowers). Application of insecticide (Imidacloprid 17.8 % SL) completely ceased the
activity of honey bee species on flowers of mustard for 3 days. Effect of insecticide
on foraging behaviour was observed for 7-8 days in domestic bee species while it was
only for 4-5 days in wild bee species.
Highest values for all yield parameters were received from OP followed by
BP and last PE. Yield of OP, BP and PE was 15.37, 13.46 and 9.06 q/ha, respectively.
The present findings indicated that honey bee had significant impact both
quantitatively and qualitatively on yield of mustard. Hence, providing support of
managed pollination in mustard will give higher economic return due to enhancement
of crop production and productivity.