Stingless bees can increase crop yields by 29%, shows Nagaland University research
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, researchers at Nagaland University have been able to demonstrate how stingless bees can boost crop output and quality through pollination -- without the stinging risk.According to the research, fruit set in king chilli increased to 29.46% from 21% with these bees as the pollinators.In the common chilli (Capsicum annuum), fruit development in healthy condition increased by nearly 8%, and seed weight, an indicator of enhanced germination, increased by over 60%.advertisementThe team, led by Dr Avinash Chauhan, All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Honeybees & Pollinators' Principal Investigator, discovered that the two species of stingless bees, namely Tetragonula iridipennis and Lepidotrigona arcifera, not only improved fruit production but also improved seed viability in chilli and king chilli.WHY IS THIS RESEARCH IMPORTANT?
Dr Chauhan further stated that this technique is meant to fill the gap of pollination in crops, especially where honeybee use is restricted.He emphasised the need to preserve other pollinators like Apis dorsata, Apis florea, halictid and syrphid bees.
Honey being extracted from stingless bees as part of a study conducted by Nagaland University
advertisement"The last 7 to 10 years of research gave us strong results. We not only had more crop yields, but the honey from these bees also generated extra income," Dr Chauhan added."We're working on improving beekeeping practices and promoting awareness regarding the conservation of wild pollinators," he added.The crops on which the research was carried out are cucumber, watermelon, citrus, tomato, brinjal, and dragon fruit.Scientists isolated and duplicated stingless bee colonies from forest areas native to them into scientific hives and then these hives were planted in open fields as well as greenhouses.
ABOUT STINGLESS BEESStingless bees are widespread in the North East, South and Eastern parts of India. Scientific domestication of stingless bees has been done in Nagaland and subsequently extended to Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.This research is an important step towards sustainable agriculture and conservation of pollinators. Future research will further explore the pharmaceutical value of stingless bee honey and examine other lesser-researched crops like passion fruit and chow chow.
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The Hindu
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Study finds stingless bees increase crop yield, quality
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26-05-2025
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Buzzing discovery: NU researchers find how stingless bees boost crop yield and quality
1 2 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo 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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Nagaland University identifies stingless bee species for agriculture Tetragonula iridipennis and Lepidotrigona arcifera boost pollination efficiency. Pollination by stingless bees improves yield and quality of chilli crops. New Delhi: Researchers at Nagaland University have identified stingless bee species that can be used to increase quality and quantity of agricultural yield through pollination, according to officials. The stingless bee species identified are Tetragonula iridipennis Smith and Lepidotrigona arcifera Cockerell. The research has been published in several reputed, peer-reviewed journals, including International Journal of Farm Sciences. According to Avinash Chauhan, Scientist and Principal Investigator (AICRP Honeybees and Pollinators), Department of Entomology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, "Stingless bees could be used for pollination without fear of being stung. They are known for their popular medicinal honey and pollination potential, which paves the way formulation of crop pollination calendars to benefit all stakeholders. The honey produced by the bees during the experiments also provided extra income besides good crop production." "Our team found that chilli crop, when pollinated by these bees, increases the crop production and quality as compared to crop where pollination is not accomplished. For supplementing the pollination deficit in chilli, stingless bees and honeybee species like A dorsata, A florea and other wild bees like halictid bees, syrphid bees and Amegiella bees need to be conserved," Chauhan added. In king-chilli the per cent fruit set was increased to 29.46 per cent over non pollinated crop (21.00 per cent). Likewise in Chilli (Capsicum annum), the fruit set and healthy fruits were increased by 7.42 per cent and 7.92 per cent over non-pollinated crop. Similarly, seed weight which is an indicator of viability or germination increased by 60.74 per cent when pollinated by stingless bees. This is the maiden attempt to work out the pollination potential of stingless bees and quality production of honey, which led to increased income and sustainable livelihood. Earlier, it was difficult to use honeybees for pollination of crops (inadequate pollination) due to their natural attributes. "The research outcomes of last seven to ten years provided the different stakeholders with lots of opportunities to rear the stingless bees for quality honey production without fear of mixing of impurities in honey and minimising bee losses, which led to more profitability in this profession," he said. "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," he said. Stingless bees are reported from North East India, Eastern India and Southern Indian States, with recent additions from North, Central and Western Indian states. Unlike all the states where stingless bee rearing is still in nascent stages in North Eastern and Southern states, the stingless bees are reared in the traditional manner in homestead apiaries. However, in the last 7-10 years, the scientific domestication of these bees involving the development of scientific hives and mass multiplication of stingless bee colonies using queen cells is achieved in Nagaland and is extended to other states like Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
