Roles of Honeybee-Pollination on Major Agronomic Performances of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. var. Hunter River)

摘要

Provision of pollinators is the most important moments for alfalfa productivity. Honeybee, due to its abundance and mobility is a significant pollinator in the production of alfalfa seed. Problems that arise in pollination of alfalfa led many researchers to pay attention to the pollination of this crop. This study presents the results obtained by use of honeybee in alfalfa pollination in relation to yield, yield components and quality of seed. To this effect, the experimental plots (3x3 m) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Three pollination treatments: caged with honeybee (T1), caged without honeybee (T2) and open-pollinated (T3) were applied. The effects of honeybee on yield and yield components were investigated. The seed yield was found to be significantly different between treatments (p<0.05). The mean yield obtained from the plots caged with honeybee pollination was highest (118.8±5.0 kg ha?1) followed by plots left open to be pollinated under natural (98.5±7.5 kg ha?1). The lowest mean yield (43.2±6.0 kg ha?1) was obtained from the plots excluded from honeybees and other pollinators (self-pollinated treatment). With regard to 1000 seed weight, the caged without honeybees treatment had significantly lower seed weight as compared to caged treatment with honeybee and open plots treatment. Similarly, lower germination percentage was investigated in caged plots without honeybee while significantly the largest germination percentage was recorded for cage plots with honeybee.