Blossom Harmony: Investigating Peak Pollinator Visitation Patterns in Mustard, Bhendi and Maize Crops

Abstract

As the global population surges, the demand for sustainable food production intensifies, highlighting the pivotal role of pollinators in agricultural systems. With 87 out of 115 major crops relying on animal pollination, the decline in global pollinator populations raises concerns about its impact on agricultural productivity. This study delves into the temporal dynamics of pollinator visitation in three crucial crops—mustard, bhendi, and maize—essential for human nutrition and global agro-economies. Through meticulous field observations and data analytics, the research reveals peak pollinator activities in these crops. A. florea and A. cerana emerge as significant pollinators in mustard and bhendi, exhibiting distinct peak hours. Syrphids also contribute notably, particularly during morning hours. In maize, wind pollination prevails, with A. cerana as the sole observed pollinator. The study emphasizes the necessity of understanding and managing pollinator communities to optimize crop yield and ecosystem health. The findings offer insights for farmers and policymakers to implement targeted strategies supporting pollinator populations. By fostering blossom harmony, where crops and pollinators coexist synergistically, sustainable agricultural practices can be promoted. This research advances our comprehension of crop-specific pollination patterns, laying a foundation for future studies to optimize pollination strategies and enhance agricultural productivity.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.111095

Pages

29 - 35

Creative Commons

Copyright

© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Madras Agricultural Students' Union in Madras Agricultural Journal (MAJ). This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited by the user.

Keywords