SCOP OF BEEKEEPING FOR POLLINATION IN INDIA

Total area of bee dependant crops in India is around 50 million hectare. One hundred and fifty million colonies are needed to meet this, at the rate of 3 colonies per hectare. In India at present, there are only 1.2 million colonies exist. Hence there is a wide scope for expansion of bee keeping for pollination in India.

BEE FLORA AND POLLINATION OF CROPS
Bee visits plants for its food, nectar and pollen. This floral fidelity of bees is due to their preference for nectars having sugar contents and pollens with higher nutritive values. Besides getting food for the bees as a result of their visit pollinate a number of crops.

Qualities of honeybees which make them good pollinators

• Body covered with hairs and has structural adaptation for carrying nectar and pollen.
• Bees do not injure the plants
• Adult and larva feed on nectar and pollen which is available in plenty
• Considered as superior pollinators, since store pollen and nectar for future use
• No diapauses is observed and needs pollen throughout the year
• Body size and proboscis length is very much suitable for many crops
• Pollinate wide variety of crops
• Forage in extreme weather conditions also

Effect of bee pollination on crop

• It increases yield in terms of seed yield and fruit yield in many crops
• It improves quality of fruits and seeds
• Bee pollination increases oil content of seeds in sunflower
• Bee pollination is a must in some self incompatible crops for seed set
• Crops benefited by bee pollination
• Fruits and nuts: Almond, apple, apricot, peach, strawberry, citrus and litchi
• Vegetable and Vegetable seed crops: Cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, coriander, cucumber, melon, onion, pumpkin, radish and turnip.
• Oil seed crops: Sunflower, niger, rape seed, mustard, safflower, gingelly.
• Forage seed crops: Lucerne, clover.

Yield increase due to bee pollination
Crop Percent yield increase