Journal of Research, SKUAST–J
Year : 2005, Volume : 4, Issue : 1
First page : ( 38) Last page : ( 45)
Print ISSN : 0972-7469.

Abundance and diversity of different insect pollinators visiting peach and plum flowers and their impact on fruit production

Abrol D.P., Sharma Devinder, Monobrullah Md.

Division of Entomology, SKUAST–J, Udheyawalla, Jammu-180 002

Abstract

Peach and plum flowers depend on insect pollinators for any significant fruit production. Studies conducted during February-March 2002–2003 revealed that peach and plum flowers attracted insects belonging to 4 orders, 14 families, 22 genera and 27 species. Of all these insects, honey bees, Apis dorsata, A. mellifera, A cerana and A. florea were the dominant flower visitors and comprised more than 73.79 and 93.91% of the total flower visiting insects in peach and plum flowers, respectively. Their abundance was in the order: A. dorsata > A. mellifera > A. cerana > A. florea. The other important insects frequenting peach and plum flowers were Xylocopa sp., Andrena sp., Megachile sp., Musca sp. and Syrphus sp.; the latter group of insects mostly frequented flowers at interrupted hours and not considered as the reliable pollinators. The maximum number of all insect visitors was at the mid-day as compared to morning and evening hours. Fruit setting was significantly higher in open pollinated plots as compared to those deprived of insect visits. Hand self pollinated plants resulted in significantly maximum fruit set.

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Key words

Insect pollinators, peach, plum.

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