17 Oct Sustainable management of pollinators in onion seed crop
प्याज बीज फसल में परागणकों का टिकाऊ प्रबंधन Onion is highly cross-pollinated crop and flowers are protandrous and therefore self- pollination is largely absent. The event of cross-pollination in onion is mostly rely upon insects foragers particularly honey bees. They are considered as major pollinating agents in onion seed production system. However, use of synthetic pesticides for managing onion thrips, Thrips tabaci could have an impact on insect pollinating service ultimately reduction in seed yield. Hence, the sustainable way of approach is essentially required for effective management of native pollinators and their eco-system service for quality seed production in onion. In these article, the basic information about important pollinator species, their role and management is described in details. These information would be very much useful for onion seed growers. Insect Pollinators in Onion Major pollinators Little bee Apis florea Fab Indian bee Apis cerana Fab Rock bee Apis dorsata Fab Western bee Apis mellifera Stingless bee Trigona sp Other pollinators Carpenter bee, Wasps, Sulfur and Danais butterfly, Syrphids and Housefly. Usually, bee foraging visits in onion is overlap with the flower opening time. The peak forage visits occurs in noon hours 12.30 to 15.30. The synchrony between the flower opening and insect forage visit is essential to achieve appropriate pollination. Prevalence of asynchrony also could possible, especially at the time of peak blooming when...