Effect of Honey Bees Pollination on Egyptian Clover Seed Yield

Abstract

Pollination behaviour and extent of self-incompatibility were studied in Egyptian clover, an important fodder legume cultivated in Egypt. The effect of pollination mode on quantitative and qualitative parameters of Egyptian clover seed yield has been studied at Gemmiza Research Station during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 winter seasons. Maximum seed setting percentage (80.5%) was recorded with first hybrid Carniolan bees pollination and 6 frame colony (BP – six f) followed by frame colony (BP- four F) with seed setting percentage (73.1 %) and two frame colony (BP-two F) with seed setting percentage (71.6%). Maximum seed yield (2346.6 seeds) was observed with treatment BP- 6 F followed by BP- 4 F (2250.0 seeds ) and BP – 2 F(1826.6 seeds). Still the lowest seed yield was found with the without insect pollination (WIP) treatment. Also, minimum 1000 – seed weight with WIP was observed (2.56g). The 1000 seed weight of BP – four F, six F and BPtwo F were 3.56, 3.30, 3.80g, respectively. The highest seed germination percentage (95.7%) was recorded with BP– six F and the lowest germination percentage (38.5 %) was found with WIP.