To evaluate the impact of the foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera in increasing boll and seed yields of Gossypium hirsutum, its pollination activities were studied in Garoua for two seasons, from September through October 2018 and 2019. Observations were made on 540 flowers divided into four treatments of which two were differentiated according to the presence or absence of flower protection regarding insect visits; the third was made of protected and opened flowers, to allow Apis mellifera visits and the fourth made of opened flowers then closed without any visit. The bee's daily rhythm of activity, their foraging and pollination activities were evaluated. Results showed that, on Gossypium hirsutum flowers, Apis mellifera intensely collected pollen and nectar. Data obtained allow the classification of this Malvaceae as a highly polliniferous and nectariferous bee plant species. Through its pollination efficiency, Apis mellifera has increased the fruiting rate by 29.66% and 13.95%, the mean number of seeds per boll by 24.53% and 14.89% and the percentage of normal seeds by 3.89% and 8.87% in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Hence, the conservation of Apis mellifera colonies close to Gossypium hirsutum fields is recommended to improve its boll and seed yields.
To evaluate the impact of Apis mellifera on Lantana camara production, foraging and pollination activities of this bee were studied at Dang. In August 2016 and 2017, 540 floral bunches with flowers in bud were labeled on 25 plants to constitute four treatments : 120 bunches left unprotected, 120 bunches protected from insects ; 200 bunches protected, then uncovered, visited exclusively by A. mellifera and rebagged ; 100 bunches protected, then uncovered and rebagged, without insect or any other organism visits. Foraging behavior of A. mellifera, on flowers its pollination efficiency, the fruiting rate, the percentage of mature fruit and the percentage of normal (well developed) fruits were evaluated. Results show that among 13 insect species recorded on L. camara flowers after two seasons of observations, A. mellifera was the most represented with 40.38% of 317 visits. This bee exclusively harvested pollen, almost throughout the day. The fruiting rate, the percentage of mature fruits and the percentage of normal fruits of treatments with unprotected floral bunches were significantly higher than those of treatments with floral bunches protected from insects. Through its pollination efficiency, A. mellifera increased the fruiting rate, the percentage of mature fruits and the percentage of normal fruits by 59.95%, 28.27% and 44.12% respectively. This Verbenaceae can be cultivated to help maintain colonies of A. mellifera during the rainy season for a good production of honey and pollen as hive products.
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