Assessment of Pollination Deficit in Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) Farms in Machakos, Kenya

Purpose: Animal-mediated pollination services are essential for food production on farms. Deficient pollination leads to lack or low fruit set, in pollinator-dependent crops, and consequently reduced yield. Cucurbits largely depend on honeybees; however, its colonies are reportedly declining globally. This study indicated sufficient pollination of Cucurbita maxima Duchesne in the farm by natural pollinators and therefore man assisted pollen transmission had no significant change in the yield characteristics of the pumpkin.
Research Method: This study was conducted on cucurbit farms in Machakos County, to assess possible pollination deficit in cucurbits production. Treatments involved supplemental pollination with Hypotrigona spp, manual pollination and natural pollination in a randomized complete block design with a farm being a block. Data was collected on fruit set and yield characteristics.
Findings and Values: The variation in magnitude of fruit and seed weight, latitudinal and longitudinal length of fruits and ovary, number of developed and undeveloped seeds per fruit were not significant because of subjecting flowers to various pollination methods. The results imply adequate and efficient pollination for pumpkin production within the study sites. Recent studies stipulating the loss of bees in agricultural ecosystems serve as a caution to farmers, as it may lead to low fruit production in the farms. Current study provides an evidence of enough natural pollinators within the study sites. With proper field practices, compatible with natural biodiversity, high yields for pumpkin production is not threatened by inadequate pollination. These findings are beneficial in pollinator conservation planning, especially in smallholder farming systems relying on natural and incidental pollination.