Pollination and Foraging Activity of Bees on Rapeseed from Nepal

Bees are the major biological pollinating agents in oilseed crops including rapeseed, mustard, and many other cross-pollinating crops. An experiment was conducted to assess the pollination impact and foraging activities of honey bee on rapeseed in Nepal. Open, hand, bee, and no-pollinations were designed in five-replicated randomized complete block design. Results showed that plant height (98.72 cm) and test weight (3.65 g) were the highest in control while yield, germination, and oil content in bee pollination exceeded control by four times, 6.76% and 14.23%, respectively. Apis mellifera showed greater abundance and foraging rate was highest during mid-day (1100-1200 and 1300-1400 hr). Time spent (1.96 sec)/ flower was highest by A. dorsata. This research depicts the importance of A. mellifera on both quantitative and qualitative parameters of rapeseed.