Department of Entomology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development Nagaland University, Medziphema797106Nagaland, India
*Email: avi_shimla@hotmail.com (corresponding author)
In this study, pollination in water melon with stingless bee Tetragonula iridipennis Smith, open pollination and control (pollinator’s exclusion) have been evaluated. Comparative pollination index worked out using foraging parameters, and fruit production and quality parameters was used. Data revealed that T. iridipennis bee pollination resulted in heavier fruits (3.428 kg) with bigger size (26.39 cm) as compared to control (0.583 kg), and open pollination treatments (2.996 kg). Fruit set (89.75%) and healthy fruits (81.62%) were more in stingless bee pollination than other modes. Significantly less fruit set (39.57%) was observed without pollination.
Tetragonula iridipennis, Water melon, Pollination index, Pollination, Fruit set, TSS, Healthy fruits, Fruit size, Weight, Seed number, Seed weight
