Pollinators community of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) and their role in reproductive success of quality production

Abstract

To ascertain the pollinator community of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) and the potential pollinators for quality seed production, a field experiment was conducted at ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan for two years. The pollinator community of ajwain was composed with 34 insect species in 7 orders and 14 families. Most of insect pollinators started their foraging at 9.00 hr and reached their respective peak activity between 12.00 to 14.00 hr and ceased at 18.00 hr. Three honeybee species Apis florea, A. mellifera and A. dorsata foraged for nectar and pollen, whereas butterfly species foraged for nectar and all Dipteran flies foraged either for nectar collection or for both nectar and pollen. Ten floral visitors (Hymenoptera-5 species, Diptera-4 species and Coleoptera-1 species) were identified as most important and potential pollinators of ajwain crop for semi-arid region performed higher foraging rate and visitation frequency. The higher seed yield of ajwain (1364.13 kg/ha) was recorded in bee pollination (BP) plots with slightly lower than sugar attractant and open pollination mode, whereas lowest yield was obtained without insect pollination (WIP)-control (844.43 kg/ha seed yield) plots. Bee pollination services increased the seed yield of ajwain by 61.54% over control and also enhanced the seed test weight and essential oil of seed in term of quality.