Response of insect pollinators to different cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) varieties and their impact on yield

The vast majority of cucurbits tend to be monoecious, therefore pollination is very important element with regard to strengthening their particular yield. Field experiment was conducted at New Developmental Farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during the year 2014 to investigate the population density of insect pollinators on four different varieties (Peshawar Local, Beta Alpha, Market More and Moon Star (hybrid)) of cucumber and also to evaluate their impact on the yield of cucumber. The experiment was laid down in RCBD with four different varieties as treatments. Experimental field was divided into two portions i.e totally Covered (with nylon cloth net) to the entrance of insect pollinators and Uncovered. The results regarding mean population of pollinators showed the highest population of honey bees (1.21/plot) among all pollinators and varieties while population of carpenter bees was recorded to be the lowest (0.03/plot). Population density of pollinators was observed to be highest during morning and evening times. Uncovered plots yielded significantly higher than covered plots in all the comparative treatments. The uncovered and covered Peshawar Local produced 21863kgha-1 and 9869 kgha-1, Beta Alpha 20156kgha-1 and 7650kgha-1, Market More 21543kgha-1 and 9748kgha-1 and Moon Star 24619kgha-1 and 11557kgha-1, respectively, throughout the reproductive season of cucumber crop. Cucumber crop requires insect pollination as an additional input in enhancing the yield.