Pollination Efficiency of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Flowers of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae) at Doyaba (Sarh, Chad)

Abstract

To evaluate the impact of single visit of Apis mellifera on pod and seed yields of Phaseolus vulgaris Large White Seeds variety, the foraging and pollinating activities of the honey bee were studied in Sarh, during 2021 and 2022 rainy seasons. Treatments included unlimited flowers access by all visitors, bagged flowers, flowers limited visits by A. mellifera only and flowers bagged, opened and closed without insect or other organism visits. The foraging behavior of A. mellifera on flowers and its pollination efficiency were recorded. Apis mellifera was the most frequent visitor and it intensely and exclusively collected nectar. The fruiting rate of unprotected flowers is significantly higher than that of protected flowers. Through its pollination efficiency, A. mellifera had increase significally the fruiting rate by 52.27%, the number of seeds/pod by 30.79% and the percentage of normal seeds by 84.03%. The conservation strategies and installation of A. mellifera colony close to P. vulgaris fields is recommended to improve its pod production and seed quality in the province.