The Effect of Insect Pollination on Seed Onion, with Observations on the Behaviour of Honeybees on the Crop

Abstract

SummaryThe fertilization rate and seed yield of uncaged onion inflorescences were greater than those of caged inflorescences; the germination rate of seeds from uncaged heads was also significantly higher. The weight of 1000 seeds and the number of seeds per capsule did not differ significantly in caged and uncaged plants. Honeybees foraged almost entirely for nectar on the onion plants, though they became heavily dusted with pollen during the process. Because of this, and because of their large foraging area in the onion field, honeybees would seem likely to be effective cross-pollinators of onion.