Role of Apis cerana himalaya pollination on yield and quality of rape seed and sunflower crops

摘要

A separate race of Asian hive bee, Apis cerana himalaya, exists in the northeast Himalayan region (Singh and Verma, 1992; Singh et al., 1990). Although this native bee has been successfully managed for the production of honey and beeswax, its effectiveness as a pollinator of entomophilous crops is not understood and often underestimated. Therefore this study details investigations into the role of this bee on seed production of commonly grown oilseed crops (rape seed, Brassica campestirs, and sunflower, Helianthus annuus).