HEDGING CASHEW CROP WITH EUPHORBIA ANTIQUORUM L. AN ECOSOLUTION TO ITS POLLINATOR LIMITATION PROBLEM

摘要

Cashew nut yields are pollinator limited for which its intensive monoculture practicing, that loo. in biodiversity poor habitats and its scanty floral rewards are blamed. Under these circumstances, unlike bees, the flies have emerged as major pollinators. But, enough feeding and breeding grounds, in form of dead and decaying organic matter, is essential for their presence. As a part of pollinator management study for cashew, out of half a dozen varieties of the fly breeding grounds assessed. Euphorbia antiquorum was adjudicated us good feeding and breeding ground for flies, from the angle of environmental health, efficiency, economy, ease and aesthetics. Hence, planting Euphorbia antiquorum on the borders of the cashew crop will serve not only as hedge hut also as pollinator supplier to the cash(ew) crop. Thus, the hedge provides a free nature cure to the pollinator problems of the cashew farmer.