Buzzing discovery: NU researchers find how stingless bees boost crop yield and quality
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Guwahati: Researchers at Nagaland University (NU) discovered two species of stingless bees, Tetragonula iridipennis Smith and Lepidotrigona arcifera Cockerell, that enhance agricultural productivity through pollination.
The introduction of these stingless bees as pollinators in greenhouse farming has improved crop yields and quality across various plant species. These bees offer safe pollination services without the risk of stings, while also producing medicinal honey that provides additional income opportunities.
Research findings by NU researchers demonstrated that chilli crops pollinated by these bees show enhanced production and quality compared to non-pollinated crops.
NU researchers said conservation efforts are necessary for stingless bees, A dorsata, A florea, and other wild species like halictid, syrphid, and Amegiella bees to address pollination deficits.
Studies show king-chilli experienced a 29.46% increase in fruit set versus 21% in non-pollinated crops. For chilli (capsicum annuum), fruit set and healthy fruits increased by 7.42% and 7.92%, respectively, over non-pollinated crops.
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Seed weight, indicating viability, rose by 60.74% with stingless bee pollination.
The researchers said this pioneering research explores the pollination capabilities of stingless bees and honey production quality, contributing to improved income and sustainable farming.
Avinash Chauhan, leading this research at NU's department of entomology, said, "The research outcomes of the last seven to 10 years provided the different stakeholders with lots of opportunities to rear the stingless bees for quality honey production without fear of mixing impurities in honey and minimising bee losses, which led to more profitability in this profession. We are still working to improve the beekeeping rearing techniques and to promote scientific beekeeping with honey bees and stingless bees for better honey production and pollination of crops.
The focus is also to raise awareness among the people for the conservation of other wild honey bees and pollinators."
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