Kohima: In a significant stride for sustainable agriculture, researchers at Nagaland University have unveiled two species of stingless bees, Tetragonula iridipennis Smith and Lepidotrigona arcifera Cockerell, as exceptionally potent pollinators.
A decade-long study reveals these tiny powerhouses can dramatically boost crop yields and enhance produce quality, offering a green solution, especially for controlled farming environments.
Led by Dr. Avinash Chauhan, Scientist and Principal Investigator for the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Honey Bees and Pollinators, the extensive research has not only identified an eco-friendly way to supercharge pollination services but also highlighted the medicinal potential of the honey produced by these bees, opening up lucrative market avenues.
Dr. Chauhan remarked, “Our research has empowered stakeholders to cultivate stingless bees for premium honey, free from contamination concerns or high bee mortality. This development promises greater profitability and sustainable livelihoods for our farmers.”
The findings are compelling: crops like chilli and king chilli experienced a remarkable improvement in fruit set and quality when pollinated by these stingless bees. King chilli, for instance, saw its fruit set jump from 21% in non-pollinated conditions to 29.46% with bee assistance. Capsicum annuum witnessed an over 7% improvement in both fruit set and health, while seed weight, a crucial indicator of seed viability, surged by an impressive 60.74%.
This pioneering study marks the first systematic investigation into the pollination efficacy of stingless bees in the region. Unlike traditional honey bees, which often struggle in confined spaces due to their natural behaviours, stingless bees are sting-free and far easier to manage in controlled settings, making them perfectly suited for greenhouse farming and urban beekeeping initiatives.
The research’s scope was broad, extending to a diverse range of crops including cucumber, ash gourd, watermelon, tomato, citrus, pumpkin, brinjal, and dragon fruit. Their exceptional pollination abilities were also observed in various fruit trees such as mango, guava, gooseberry, Rhus species, and Indian jujube (Ber).
The project meticulously involved the scientific extraction and multiplication of stingless bee colonies from their natural habitats. Utilizing advanced rearing techniques, including queen cell management, the researchers successfully domesticated and mass-propagated these invaluable pollinators. These progressive practices have now expanded beyond Nagaland, reaching other Northeastern states like Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
While stingless bee rearing is still gaining traction across most Indian states, the Northeast and South have a long-standing tradition of homestead apiaries. The past decade, however, has witnessed a transformative shift towards modern, scientific methods for rearing and hive management, significantly enhancing both pollination efficiency and honey output.
Looking ahead, the research team is poised to delve into lesser-known yet geographically significant crops such as passion fruit, Solanum species, and chow-chow. Further plans include refining honey extraction techniques and conducting mellisopalynological studies to unlock the full spectrum of medicinal benefits offered by stingless bee honey.
Through this groundbreaking initiative, Nagaland University is not only fostering agricultural innovation but also championing the crucial cause of conserving wild pollinators like Apis dorsata, Apis florea, halictid bees, syrphid flies, and Amegiella bees, securing a healthier future for both agriculture and biodiversity.
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