Optimum population of A. Mellifera required for seed production in onion

Field experiments were conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2009–10 to derive the optimum population of Apis mellifera on Allium cepa L. for seed production. Open, Bee and Self pollinations were employed to study their effects on seed set, seed weight, root length and shoot length of the crop. Maximum seeds were produced in open-pollination plants, while least in Self-pollination plants. Seed weight was almost same in all pollination treatments whereas, highest root length, shoot length and Vigour Index were observed in two frame A. mellifera treatment. The study suggests that in cages of size 10.0 m × 10.0 m× 10.0 m optimum two frame population of Apis mellifera is req u i red.