Abstract
To appreciate the impact of insect pollinators on the pod, seeds, and seed weight yields of Glycine max, the pollinating activities of flowering insects were studied in Yaoundé, during the two mild, rainy seasons in 2016 and 2017 (March-June). Observations were made on 45 to 20400 flowers per treatment. The flowers were subjected to different treatments: Free flowers (Treatment 1), bagged flowers (treatment 2), castrated and free flowers (treatment 3), and castrated and bagged flowers (treatment 4). Some (8695 and 3325) flowers of Glycine max (Fabaceae) were observed in 2016 and 2017, respectively, for the diversity and Frequency of insect visits. For results, 1527 visits of 13 insect species distributed in seven orders were recorded on G. max flowers. The most dominating Hymenoptera observed was Apis mellifera, with 40.20 % of the total insect visits. The highest number of insect pollinators harvested in the flowers of this Fabaceae was between 8h-9h. The studied insects have a positive impact on the yields of this plant. This positive impact of the pollinator insects on the yields was 26.29 %, 16.13 %, 15.02 and 4.45 % in fructification rate, number of seeds pod, the weight of seeds, and percentage of normal seeds respectively. The avoidance of pesticide treatment of plants during flowering could be a good management strategy to improve on plant yield.
Highlights
Glycine max is a plant that originated from China (Hymowitz, 1970)
Among the 188 and 1339 visits of 8 and 12 insect species counted on G. max flower in 2016 and 2017
For the two cumulated years; seven Orders of anthophilous insects were found on G. max flowers including: Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hynemoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Nevroptera (Table 1)
Summary
Glycine max is a plant that originated from China (Hymowitz, 1970) This plant is annual, herbaceous, and can reach a height of 1.5m (Gallais and Bannerot, 1992); Soybean is grown primarily for its seeds, which have many uses in the food and industrial sectors (USDA, 2002; Tchuenguem and Dounia, 2014). It is a major vegetable source of protein for man and other animals (Tien et al, 2002; MINADER, 2012).
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