The value of honey bees (Apis mellifera, L.) as pollinators of summer seed watermelon (Citrullus lanatus colothynthoides L.) in Egypt

Abstract

The value of honey bee, Apis mellifera L., as pollinator of summer seed watermelon plants, Citrullus lanatus colothynthoides L. was studied. The highest percentage of opened flowers, number of bees/m2/min and amount of trapped pollen/ colony/h were recorded between 9.00 and 10.00 h, with significant (P<0.01) correlations between them. Eleven insect species belonging to eleven families and five orders were recorded as pollinators on summer seed watermelon crop, and A. mellifera L., was the predominant species. One hectare of summer seed watermelon could produce 10.47 kg of honey per season. Open pollination treatment produced the highest number of mature fruits and seed yield as compared with caged plants without any insect visitors which did not produce any fruits at all. It could be recommended to move the honey bee colonies to summer seed watermelon plantations during its flowering period to build-up the colonies and increase seed yield.