Enhancing pollination efficiency in onion (Allium cepa L.) using indigenous bee attractants

A two-year field experiment (2023-24 and 2024-25) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of indigenous bee attractants-such as coconut water, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice and dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) extract on the foraging activity of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and the stingless bee (Tetragonula iridipennis) in onion (Allium cepa L.). Attractants were applied at critical flowering stages and bee visitation rates were recorded at different intervals after application. Both pomegranate juice and dates extract at 10 % concentration significantly increased visitation rates of A. mellifera and T. iridipennis compared to coconut water, with peak activity occurring on the 3rd and 5th days following the second spray. The results revealed that fruit-based attractants are more effective in enhancing mean bee visitation rates, improving foraging consistency and producing statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Enhanced pollinator activity was associated with improved pollination efficiency, supporting the likelihood of yield gains. The findings highlight the feasibility of incorporating locally available, eco-friendly attractants into onion seed production systems to sustainably increase pollinator-mediated productivity. Adoption of such natural attractants could serve as a low-cost, eco-friendly strategy to address pollination gaps and enhance seed yield in short-day onion cultivars.