PJB-2018-1002
ABUNDANCE OF FLOWER VISITING INSECTS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE YIELD OF DIFFERENT CULTIVARS OF CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.)
MUHAMMAD MAMOON-UR-RASHID
Abstract
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a cross-pollinated crop. The size of the cucumber fruits depends not only on the cultivar type but also on proper pollination of flowers. In the present investigations, four different cultivars, viz. Quice, Dynasty, Mailini, and Full Moon cucumber were planted in caged and un-caged conditions following split plots design. The data were recorded on fruit weight, length, number of fruit plant-1 and yield of cucumber crop. The results indicated that six species of insect pollinators belonging to two orders of Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera visited the cucumber bloom. The significant increase in weight of fruit, length, the number of fruits plant-1 and yield was observed for plants grown under uncaged conditions having full access to insect pollinators as compared to those grown under caged conditions. It was observed that in un-caged plots honey bees had maximum mean foraging and population activities at evening as compared to other insect pollinators. It is concluded from the present findings that cucumber is highly pollinators dependent crop and insect pollinators play a vital role for pollination and influence both quantity and quality of cucumber crop. It is, therefore, suggested that the placement of honeybee colonies near cucumber fields 2 to 3 days after the commencement of flowering will be more beneficial for getting higher yields.
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