Insect Pollinators and Hybrid Seed Production: Relevance to Climate Change and Sustainability

Abstract

AbstractThe role of pollination in supporting food production is more than significant. Insects are the most important means of natural cross pollination. Higher foraging preference for restorer lines enables efficient pollination from male to female lines in the process of hybrid seed production of fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, commercial and many other major food crops. These have a considerable impact not only on yield enhancement but also on quality of the produce. Deliberate deployment of beehives for the above-said purpose is a century-old practice now. The order Hymenoptera represents majority of the insect pollinators; however, the role of other insects and wild insect fauna cannot be underestimated. Mainly, the crop ecosystem and nature of climatic conditions amount to the occurrence and diversity of insect pollinators. A holistic view of the diverse group of insect pollinators and tending to a particular crop ecosystem is certainly an area needed to be explored. Seen in the perspective of changing climate, insect pollinators impart resilience to the plants in stress; however, these ecologically important creatures are also subjected to direct or indirect adverse impact. In this chapter, an effort has been made to spotlight the importance and diversity of insect pollinators. The impact of changing climate has also been discussed.KeywordsClimate changeDiversityHybridInsectsMale sterilePollinationRestorer lines