Diversity of Pollinator Species and Effect of Pollination on Strawberry Yield and Quality

Purpose:  Insects constitute an important pollinator resource, and they are a key driver for both the fruit yield and the quality. It contributes in ensuring complete pollination and reproductive success of strawberries. However, the comprehensive benefits of insect pollinators in strawberry yield and fruit qualities through pollination are not quantified through empirical evidences. Therefore, this study quantifies the influence of pollinators on strawberry production.
Research Method: The experiment was set up with two treatments (i.e., T₁ - Open plots of strawberry, T₂ – Mesh screen caged plot) arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications per treatment. Opportunistic visual encounter and observational plot methods were followed to collect the insect pollinators sample. Further, the complete enumeration sampling was applied to collect strawberry plants sample.
Findings: The results showed that during strawberry blossom, Tetramorium sp. was the prominent visitor (n = 506) followed by Apis cerana (n = 322). Based on the insects’ foraging behavior, insect abundance and visit frequency, Apis cerana, Apis laboriosa, Xylocopa acutipennis, Bombus sp. and Junonia almana were recorded to be an effective Camarosa pollinator. The exclusion of pollinators in Camarosa resulted in smaller-sized and deformed fruits with inferior fruit quality attributes (color, shape and total soluble solids) compared to open plot fruits. The fruit quality attributes were significantly affected by pollination.
Originality/value: This study is the first of its kind to record the insect pollinators visiting Camarosa cultivar and study reported Tetramorium sp. as a successful pollinator in strawberries for the first time.