Diversity of Pollinator Insects in Relation to Seed Set of Mustard (Brassica rapa L. Cruciferae).docVIP

HAYATI Journal of Biosciences, December 2007, p 155-161 ISSN: 1978-3019 Vol. 14, No. 4 Diversity of Pollinator Insects in Relation to Seed Set of Mustard (Brassica rapa L.: Cruciferae) TRI ATMOWIDI1?, DAMAYANTI BUCHORI2 2 , SJAFRIDA MANUWOTO , BAMBANGSURYOBROTO , PURNAMA HIDAYAT 1 2 1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Plant Protection, 2 Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University, Darmaga Campus, Bogor 16680, Indonesia Received August 29, 2007/Accepted December 5, 2007 Pollinators provide key services to both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Agricultural productivity depends, in part, on pollinator populations from adjacent seminatural habitats. Here we analysed the diversity of pollinator insects and its effect to seed set of mustard (Brassica rapa) planted in agricultural ecosystem near the Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park, West Java. At least 19 species of insects pollinated the mustard, and three species, i.e. Apis cerana, Ceratina sp., and Apis dorsata showed a high abundance. The higher abundance and species richness of pollinators occurred at 08.30-10.30 am and the diversity was related to the number of flowering plants. Insect pollinations increased the number of pods, seeds per pod, seed weights per plant, and seed germination. Key words: diversity, pollinator insects, social bees, solitary bees, seed set, Brassica rapa ___________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION solitary wild bees and bumblebees (Kremen et al. 2002; Steffan-Dewenter et al. 2002). Pollinators provide key of ecosystem services to both natural and agro-ecosystems. Almost all flowering plant species in tropical lowland rain forests are pollinated by animals (Bawa 1990). Posit