ICAPS 2024

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    Diversity, abundance, and activity patterns of bee pollinators in Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) in Hambantota district, Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2024) Bandara, H. M. N. N.; De Silva, H. S. D. R.; Siriwardhana, B. M. K. T.; Wijekoon, W. M. C. D.; Wegiriya, H. C. E.
    The pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.)) is often a cross-pollinated, perennial legume grown in different agroclimatic regions. The study was carried out to investigate the Pigeon pea flower-visiting bee diversity, their relative abundance and their active time at Bata Atha Agro Technology and Tourism Park, Hambantota District in Sri Lanka, from April to June 2024. Three sampling plots (1 m2 each) were identified in the sampling location and the study was conducted twice monthly on sunny days. The abundance of bees was recorded by visual observations and the sweep net (40 cm diameter) method was used to collect bees for identification. The observations were carried out from 0700–1700h to study the active time of bees. The study revealed that Xylocopa aestuans, Ceratina beata, Ceratina smaragdula, Amegilla cingulata, Apis cerana, Megachile lanata, Megachile disjuncta were the key bee pollinators of pigeon pea at study site. The most abundant bee species was Ceratina beata and their relative abundance is 26.31% (n = 10) and the less abundant species was Amegilla cingulate (7.8%, n = 3) from total bee pollinators in the sampling site. Xylocopa aestuans, Ceratina smaragdula, Amegilla cingulata, Apis cerana, Megachile lanata, Megachile disjuncta relative abundance were 10.53% (n = 4), 18.42% (n = 7), 13.16% (n = 5), 10.53% (n = 4), 7.8% (n = 3), 13.16% (n = 5) respectively. The activity of bee pollinators starts at 0900–1000h time of the day and the peak of the active time of the bees for pigeon pea flowers was identified as from 1100-1300h of the day. The activity tends to be reduced after 1600–1700h. The findings suggest that pigeon pea plantations in the Southern Province could benefit from the presence of these diverse bee species, which are effective pollinators. Promoting pigeon pea cultivation could potentially enhance agricultural productivity in the region, given the effective natural pollination by local bee species. This study emphasizes the importance of preserving and promoting bee populations, as they play a crucial role in the pollination of crops, directly impacting agricultural yields and sustainability.