Effects of Pollination by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides on Forcing Eggplant Cultures

Abstract

The pollination efficiency between Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Neotropical stingless bee) and Bombus terrestris (bumble bee) was evaluated in eggplants (variety Senryo), cultivated in a greenhouse. The house was divided into two sections (section A and B), and twenty-four pots of eggplants were grown per section. The colony of M. quadrifasciata and B. terrestris was introduced into section A and B during the period of 29. Dec., 2004–1. June, 2005, respectively. The total fruit produced by each treatment was weighed to estimate the average production in kilograms per plant. The total number of fruit without commercial value in each treatment was also recorded. There was no significant difference between treatments in either quantity or quality of fruit. It was concluded that the use of M. quadrifasciata anthidioides as a pollinator of greenhouse eggplants could be an alternative to the use of B. terrestris or Apis mellifera (honey bee). However, further research observations