The Effect of Mode of Pollination on Yield and Oil Potential ofBrassica CampestrisL. Var.Sarsonwith Observations on Insect Pollinators

SummaryIn a trial on Brassica campestris L. var. sarson cv. ‘BSH–1’, pod setting, seeds/pod, proportion of healthy and unhealthy (husks) seeds, weight of healthy seeds, oil content and oil yield were compared in net-caged, muslin-bagged and open-pollinated flowers. Per cent pod setting, seeds per pod and proportion of healthy seeds were significantly higher in open-pollinated flowers than in net-caged and muslin-bagged ones. The average weight of 100 seeds and oil content of seeds were significantly greater from muslin-bagged than from net-caged and open-pollinated flowers. Oil yield was 9·76 and 1·55 times higher under open pollination and net caging, respectively, than under muslin-bagging. Although there were many insect flower visitors, Apis cerana indica F. was the most common pollinating species. Bees mainly foraged on the crop for nectar.