Improving okra performance through pollinator attractors

Abstract

The vicinity of natural areas can enhance availability of pollinators and crop productivity. Considering the global reduction of pollinators and the global food insecurity, innovative strategies to enhance pollination and crop yield are important. Thus, we investigated the efficacy of using colored attractors of pollinators to improve okra yield. The use of pollinator attractors led to a significant increase in the length, volume, and weight of okra in comparison to plants without attractors, and notably larger when compared to plants without pollinator access. Although uncertainties remain regarding scalability and optimal implementation, our results emphasized the opportunity of the colored attractors, a low-cost intervention, to boost food productivity and alleviate food insecurity.