Vol. 11, Special Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
Rukshanda Hanif, Munazah Yaqoob, Liyaqat Ayoub, Sheikh Salma Irshad, Masrat Siraj, Fazil Fayaz Wani, Sheeba Bhat, Umar Bin Farook, Mohmmad Aasif Sheikh, Jameela Rasool and Mathumitaa P

Abstract:
Cucumber, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is a widely produced commercial crop in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The plants are monoicous, which means they produce both male and female flowers separately on the same plant. Cucumbers economic success is determined by high yields of high-quality fruit. Successful pollination is one of the most critical elements affecting quality and yield of cucumber. To carry out the pollination process, pollination agents are required. Cucumber plants have an open blossom form that allows insects easy access. Complete pollination ensures uniform and perfectly formed fruits with even maturity while as improper pollination results in formation of misshapen and small sized fruits, thus leads to low yield of marketable fruits. The insects visiting blooms of cucumber include, Xylocopa vulga, Apis cerana, Apis mellifera, Bombus impatiens, Megachile atrata and Eristalis arbustorum. Among these insect’s honey bees are the major pollinators of cucumber. The pollination efficiency of any pollinator species is determined by foraging speed and foraging rate. Moreover, greater the foraging rate and foraging speed of a pollinator, the greater are the chances of pollination. Many elements influence an insect visitor's foraging behaviour, including instinctual foraging behaviour, floral structure, the type and quantity of floral rewards, and hours of the day. To reap the benefits of cross pollination, the material to boost pollinator visits to cucumber would be of great value. Various bee attractants viz., Bee Q, Sugar solution, Molasses and jaggery are being used to boost the foraging activities of pollinators. Therefore, in order to boost the productivity, there is requirement of insect pollination in cucumber and use of attractants as an additional input in enhancing the yield.