Diversity of Bees on Sweet Basil in Bihar
Nagendra Kumar
Department of Entomology, Post Graduate College of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, 848 125, Bihar, India.
Budi Satish
Department of Entomology, Post Graduate College of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, 848 125, Bihar, India.
Katta Subramanya Sai Teja *
Department of Entomology, Post Graduate College of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, 848 125, Bihar, India.
Sujatha G S
Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi- 110012, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present investigation aims to study the diversity of insect pollinators rendering pollination services to sweet basil. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a significant culinary and medicinal herb used for curing renal problems, warts, worms, diarrhea, migraines, etc. Secondary metabolites from Ocimum sp. have excellent biological activity being bactericidal; anti-microbial and antioxidant. The important bee pollinators of sweet basil flowers were recorded in a square meter of the experimental plot that had been randomly designated. Throughout the whole flowering season, the experimental plot was kept free from spray. More research is needed to better understand the precise functions that different bee species play in sweet basil pollination, as well as their effects on this process in relation to other factors that influence their populations. Such findings can be used to develop targeted strategies for conservation or sustainable agriculture that promote both crop production and pollinator health.
Keywords: Ocimum basilicum, secondary metabolites, pollination, biological activity