RANA, KIRANSUJATA, KUMARI2017-06-142017-06-142014http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810020066ABSTRACT The present investigations entitled “Studies on the effect of bee attractants on quality seed production of onion (Allium cepa L.) were carried out using cv. Palam Lohit. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (factorial) in the field and Laboratory with three replications of each treatment at Seed Science and Technology, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during Kharif 2012-13. The treatments were comprised of spray with Bee Scent @ 2.5%, Bee Scent @ 5%, Bee Scent @ 7.5%, sugar solution @ 5%, sugar solution @ 10%, honey solution @ 1%, honey solution @ 2%, cropbagged without pollinators and crop without any spray (control). The observations were recorded in the field on pollinator fauna of onion, evaluation of bee attractants in attracting the bees, effect of bee attractants on quantitative (number of umblets/umbel, number of seeds/umbel, per cent seed set, per cent deformed seeds, seed yield/plot, seed yield/ha, 1000 seed weight and benefit: cost ratio) and qualitative (germination percentage, SVI-L and SVI-M) parameters of onion seed. The results revealed thatin total 19 insects belonging to 17 genera under 8 families and 3 orders were recorded. Syrphids were dominant insect visitors among various pollinators visited to onion bloom followed by bees and other pollinators. Bee Scent @ 7.5% proved best in attracting the bees, syrphids and other pollinators upto third day. followed by Bee Scent @5% and 2.5%. Bee Scent @ 7.5%, 5% and 2.5% proved equally good with respect to quantitative (number of umblets/umbel, number of seeds/umbel, per cent seedset, per cent deformed seeds, seed yield/plot, seed yield/ha and 1000 seed weight) andqualitative (germination percentage, SVI-L, SVI-M) parameters of onion seed. Therefore on the basis of results, it is suggested that Bee Scent @ 2.5 per cent may be recommended.ennullThesis