Bees Enhance B-Onion Seed Production
B-onion is an important cash crop in Sri Lanka, but its production is constrained by the high cost and limited availability of quality commercial seeds. This study demonstrates the important contribution of insect pollination to B-onion seed production in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Several bee species visited B-onion flowers, with Halictus lucidipennis, Apis cerana, and Apis florea being the most frequent visitors. Open-pollinated umbels produced significantly more and heavier seeds than insect-excluded umbels. Seeds from open-pollinated flowers also showed higher germination and greater seedling growth, demonstrating benefits beyond seed quantity. These findings highlight the importance of bees in supporting both the yield and quality of B-onion seeds. Promoting pollinator-friendly practices and conserving bee populations could therefore contribute to more sustainable and locally supported B-onion seed production in Sri Lanka.
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