Intercropping with Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.): An Assessment of Its Influence on the Assemblage of Pollinators and Yield of Neighbouring Non-Leguminous Crops

Abstract

Intercropping is practiced in modern intensive agriculture considering many benefits, including additive crop yield. However, it may have competitive or facilitative interactions between pollinator-dependant crops. Here, we investigated the reproductive aspects of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan). We assessed the influence of blooming pigeonpea on pollinator’s assemblage and the yield of neighbouring non-leguminous crops (e.g., coriander, mustard). For these, we recorded floral visitors and the yield of the targeted crops from two types of fields―closely situated and distantly situated concerning pigeonpea plantation. Pigeonpea is autogamous, but pollinator’s visits enhance fruit and seed sets. Bright, nectariferous flowers emitted several volatile organic compounds and were visited by numerous insect species. The prime pollinators of pigeonpea are carpenter bees and leafcutter bees. In contrast, halictidae, honeybees and stingless bees mainly pollinate the co-blooming non-leguminous crops (coriander and mustard). The richness and abundance of pollinators on these co-blooming crops remain similar in closely situated and distantly situated fields. As a result, the yield of the neighbouring crops is not significantly influenced by the blooming pigeonpea. Therefore, it can be concluded that planting pigeonpea in ridges of agricultural fields will be an additional agricultural output without affecting the assemblage of pollinators and yields of neighbouring co-blooming crops.

Floral visitors of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): Elucidating their nectar-robbing behaviour and impacts on the plant reproduction

“…We recorded the flower visitation rate (i.e., the number of flowers visited in a 1-minute duration) and the flower handling time (i.e., the amount of time spent per visit on a flower) for sesame visitors [ 24 ]. To estimate the visitation rate, we started a stopwatch when a focal visitor came in contact with a flower (to collect floral resources), followed the flower-visiting individual for 1 minute and counted the number of flowers visited in this time span.…”

Dependency of Crops on Pollinators and Pollination Deficits: An Approach to Measurement Considering the Influence of Various Reproductive Traits

“…Based on the IDP values, we classified the crops into five categories (Table 1). To determine whether crop species experience pollen transfer constraints in open field circumstances, we estimated the 'coefficient of pollination deficit (D)' using the method of Layek et al [26] as follows:…”

“…Sustainable crop production depends on approaches that help predict a crop's pollinator dependence and potential risks of yield losses arising from pollination shortfalls. Unfortunately, there are few studies [23][24][25][26] on the dependency of crops on pollinators and the pollination deficit of crops. It is also unknown whether the different floral traits have significant relationships with a crop's dependency and pollination deficits.…”

Pollination ecology of an important medicinal plant Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta of Asiatic tropics

“…The index of self-incompatibility (ISI) was computed using the method described by (Raduski et al According to (Layek et al 2023), we categorized the plant species into three groups using the ISI value: i. selfincompatibility (ISI ≥ 0.8), ii. partial self-incompatibility (0.2 < ISI < 0.8), and iii.…”