The effect of pollinators and pollination on fruit set and fruit yields of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) in the forest region of Ghana.

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2012-09-18
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Abstract
The indiscriminate application of chemical insecticides on crops has resulted in reduction of the numbers of beneficiary insects which provide pollination services. The reduction in pollination services has led to reduction in crop yields of which okra is no exception. This study investigated the effect of pollinators and pollination on the reproductive performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench). The experimental design used was the randomized complete block design (RCBD) involving three treatments with three replications. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS) using the General Linear Module procedure was used to analyze the data. The treatments were control, insecticide application and net covering. The parameters studied were the number of flowers per plant, number of aborted flowers per plant, number fruits per plant, yield per plant, number of seeds per pod and number of honeybee visitation in a day. The results indicated no significant differences (p > 0.05) in number of flowers per plant and number of aborted flowers per plant but significant differences (p < 0.05) were shown in the number of pods harvested per plant, yield per plant and number of seeds per pod. The bee visitation also showed significant differences between treatments. The number of aborted flowers did not show significant difference but very high abortion rates were recorded in all the treatments with figures as 40%, 43% and 51% for control, insecticide and net respectively for the major season and 41%, 41% and 50% in the same order for the minor season. The study indicated that insect pollination helps to improve the yield in okra. I therefore recommend the use of bee hives in future research in order to determine the real potential of insect pollination in the yield of okra.
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A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology for Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of Msc. Degree in Environmental Science, September-2012
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