Insect pollination versus enhanced fruit production in Tamarindus indica and Tectona grandis

摘要

Tamarindus indica and Tectona grandis are tree species of high economic importance, the former is used for culinary purposes and the latter as highly preferred timber. Since T. indica is cultivated mainly for its fruits, accomplishing maximum fruitset through various means is essential. T. grandis is mainly propagated through seed, in this connection, the production of good quality seed in sufficient quantity is important. In both the species, the natural fruit set is very low. The fruit set raterecorded in T. indica is 3 to 5 percent, whereas in T. grandis, it is 0.4 to 5.1 percent. But, the fruit set obtained in controlled experiments is 70 to 90 percent in T. indica and 10 to 70 percent in T. grandis. It shows that there is ample scope for enhancing fruit production through effective pollen transfer. Studies conducted on the pollinating agents show that both the tree species are entomophilous. Bees are the major pollinators of both tree species. Flies are equally important for T. grandis. With wild bees and also domesticated honey bees, the maximization of pollen transfer and enhanced fruit and seed set is possible.