Creative Commons License 2015 Volume 2 Issue 2

Floral Visitors and Pollinators of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L) from Kichi Forest to the Adjacent Local Communities’ Farms


Kelvin Ngongolo, Samuel Mtoka, Chrispinus D Rubanza
Abstract

Sustainable supply of forest ecosystem services by many tropical habitats including Kichi forest reserve and the associated agro-ecologies is threatened by the ongoing high extent of degradation due to deforestation, incidences of bush fires, illegal lumbering as well as poor agricultural practices Less is known on the impact of anthropogenic activities on the net flow of ecosystem offered by Kichi forest reserve. Pollination services to most crops including Sesame (Sesamum indicum L) represents one of the potential ecosystem service among farming communities neighboring the forest reserve. Sesame farming is an increasing economic venture to local communities surrounding the forest. If the forest is not conserved, it is anticipated to disappear in near future. One way of conserving this forest, is to realize its benefits to the local communities such as pollination services to their sesame crop. A study was carried out to identify the pollinators of the sesame crop from the Kichi forest. Direct observation, time constrained sampling, photographing, satellite images were used in sampling the floral visitors and pollinators in the three randomly selected farms. Potential pollinators were Apis mellifera L; Apidae (31.92%), (Nectariniidae) (23.69%) and Xylocopa caffra L; Apidae (8.73%). There was no differences in terms of diversity and abundances of floral visitors and probers for the three farms (P>0.05). Also the relationship between the floral visitors and probers was positively correlated (P<0.05). In addition, time spent to the flowers by the floral visitors and number of flowers probed were positively correlated (P<0.05). The findings concluded that, the chance of sesame flowers to be visited by the pollinators from Kichi forest was equal. The conservation of Kichi forest is essential for donating pollinators to the Sesame and other crops grown by local communities around the forest.

Key words: Floral Visitors, Pollinators, Kichi Forest, Sesame, Local communities.


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Entomology and Applied Science Letters is an international double-blind peer reviewed publication which publishes scientific research & review articles related to insects that contain information of interest to a wider audience, e.g. papers bearing on the theoretical, genetic, agricultural, medical and biodiversity issues. Emphasis is also placed on the selection of comprehensive, revisionary or integrated systematics studies of broader biological or zoogeographical relevance. In addition to full-length research articles and reviews, the journal publishes interpretive articles in a Forum section, Short Communications, and Letters to the Editor. The journal publishes reports on all phases of medical entomology and medical acarology, including the systematics and biology of insects, acarines, and other arthropods of public health and veterinary significance.

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Entomology and Applied Science Letters supports the submission of entomological papers that contain information of interest to a wider reader groups e. g. papers bearing on taxonomy, phylogeny, biodiversity, ecology, systematic, agriculture, morphology. The selection of comprehensive, revisionary or integrated systematics studies of broader biological or zoogeographical relevance is also important. Distinguished entomologists drawn from different parts of the world serve as honorary members of the Editorial Board. The journal encompasses all the varied aspects of entomological research.