Diversity and Effectiveness of Native Insect Pollinators in Carrot Seed Production

Abstract

Carrot is one of the most consumed vegetable in Pakistan and ranked among top ten vegetables grown across the world. The present study was designed to evaluate the diversity and effectiveness of native insect pollinators in carrot seed production. An experiment was performed at the research farm of MNS University of Agriculture, Multan during vegetative season (October-April) in 2019-20. Seven syrphid fly and four bee species were found visiting the carrot flowers that comprised of 65% and 35% of total abundance respectively. Among Syrphidae, Eristalinus aeneus was the most abundant followed by E. laetus while E. arvorum was the least. In Apidae, Apis dorsata was the most abundant followed by Lasioglossum sp (Halictidae) while Xylocopa sp. was the least abundant bee species. The foraging behavior in terms of visitation rate proved A. dorsata and Lasioglossum sp. as the most efficient pollinators followed by E. laetus. Open pollination resulted in higher seed weight per umbel (4 times), total seeds per umbel (4 times), umbel diameter (1.5 times) and umbel weight (3 times) than caged (no insect visit) treatment. Conserving these native efficient pollinators by providing floral and nesting resources may enhance carrot seed production in Punjab, Pakistan.