Role of Insects in Cross-Pollination and Yield Attributing Components of Fenugreek

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a self-pollinated crop however insect pollination can improve the seed and fruit set. The present study was carried out at the agricultural research farm of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan to enlist the pollinator community of fenugreek, their foraging behavior, and identify the most effective pollinator species in terms of plant reproductive success. The floral visitor community of fenugreek was comprised of six bees, four flies, one moth, and one butterfly species. The highest visitation frequency was observed for Apis florea (3.86 individuals/meter²/120 seconds) and the visitation rate for Apis dorsata (19.90 flower/120 seconds). The highest stay time on a single flower was observed for Ceratina smaragdula (3.94 seconds/flower). The maximum pod weight, pod length, and seed weight were recorded in C. smaragdula pollinated pods. Results suggest that C. smaragdula is an efficient pollinator of fenugreek in Bahawalpur in terms of plant reproductive success. Future studies should focus on the conservation of C. smaragdula and other allied bee species for enhanced crop pollination.