Managed pollination is a much better way of increasing productivity and essential oil content of dill seeds crop

Abstract

Dill seeds (Anethumgraveolens L.) is the most valuable medicinal seed spice crop of Apiaceae. It bears small yellow flowers in the form of umbels. Being a cross-pollinated crop, floral visitors play vital role in pollination and seed sets. Hence, the present study was conducted at the ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer (Rajasthan), India to discover the pollinator’s community, foraging behaviour and abundance of most frequent pollinators and different modes of pollination on seed yield and quality of this seed spice crop. The insect visitors community of dill seeds was composed of 28 insect species belonging to 14 families of 6 orders. Most of floral visitors started their foraging activity at 8.00 h, reached peak activity between 12.00 and 14.00 h and their activity ceased at 18.00 h. Apisflorea,A.dorsata,A.mellifera, solitary bee, Halictus sp. and two unidentified species of Hymenoptera; Episyrphusbalteatus (DeGeer), Episyrphus sp., Eristalis sp and two other Musca species of Diptera were identified as potential and regular floral visitors of dill seeds. The highest seed yield of 1505.63 kg/ha was recorded in the treated plots provided with only 10% jaggery solution and was at par with the open pollination. A lower seed yield of 1432.5 kg/ha was recorded in plots pollinated only with A.mellifera inside insect cages. Open pollination with 10% jaggery solution spray increased the seed yield of dill seed crop by 57%, one-thousand seed test weight by 96% and the essential oil content by 27% over control plots. These results show that managed pollination is a much better way to enhance yields and quality of dill seed crop than other treatments including only honeybee-based pollination.

Electrospun Cactus Mucilage/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanofibers as a Novel Wall Material for Dill Seed Essential Oil (Anethum graveolens L.) Encapsulation: Release and Antibacterial Activities

“…The oil extracted from dill seeds was pale yellow with a strong characteristic aroma and pleasant odor, and the yield was 3.50 ± 0.8% (v/w). The yield of DSEO extraction is higher than that of essential oils extracted from dill seeds planted in India, varying between 1.71 and 2.06% …”

“…Emulsion electrospinning is a promising technique for encapsulating essential oils to improve their sustained-release performance . Essential oils from dill seed are the most valuable medicinal seed spice crops in the Apiaceae . Dill is one such annual aromatic herb, belonging to the family Umbelliferae .…”

Field effectiveness of some essential oil emulsions against the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (GENN.) that infest potato plants in Egypt

“…More importantly, it is their ability to transmit many plant viruses (Fiallo-Olivé et al 2020). Essential oils (EOs) have been known for insecticidal activity against a large variety of insects, herbivores, and microorganisms, having some attracting pollinators (Argyropoulou et al 2022;Meena et al 2022). Previous studies have shown their contact toxicity and repellency, with additional action as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, insecticidal, antifeedant, fumigant, miticides, oviposition deterrent, nematocidal and growth regulatory (Li et al 2022;Singh and Pandey 2021;Sahu and Singh 2022).…”

Efficiency of essential oils emulsions against Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (GENN.) infesting potato plants under field conditions In Egypt

“…Essential oils (EOs) have been known for insecticidal activity against a large variety of insects, herbivores, and microorganisms, and some are active in attracting pollinators (Argyropoulou et al, 2022;Meena et al, 2022). Previous studies have shown their contact toxicity, repellency, pathogenicity, and growth regulation (Li et al, 2022;Singh and Pandey, 2021;Sahu and Singh, 2022).…”