Effect of Apis florea pollination on seed yield and quality traits in Niger (Guizotia abyssinica)

Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) is a commercially valuable oilseed crop that depends on efficient pollination to achieve optimal seed yield and quality. Among tropical and subtropical regions, the dwarf honey bee, Apis florea, plays a notable role as a natural pollinator. This study evaluated the impact of A. florea on Niger seed production through a randomized field experiment comprising three treatments: open pollination (OP), Apis florea-mediated pollination, and pollinator exclusion (control). Measurements included heads per plant, head weight, seeds per head, seed weight, and seed morphometric traits. Plants pollinated by A. florea showed an 84.3% increase in head weight (1.53 g vs. 0.83 g), a 2,490% increase in seeds per head (33.67 vs. 1.30), and complete seed viability compared to the control group. Open pollination yielded the highest number of heads per plant (15.00) and seeds per head (43.33), while A. florea pollination resulted in intermediate but significantly improved performance. The findings affirm Apis florea as an effective pollinator that substantially enhances seed productivity and quality in Niger, advocating for its conservation and ecological management in regions where it occurs naturally to support sustainable cultivation practices. Keywords: Apis florea, Niger seed, pollination efficiency, seed yield, oilseed crops, bee pollination