Bee Visits Improves Production Parameters of Maize in Northern Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays) is one of cereal rich in nutrients and antioxidants essential for human health. Many studies showed that this speculation is pollinated indirectly by wind. However, we observed a strong presence of bees on the male flowers of maize as soon as they open. The high activity of bees on these flowers, causes an intense release of pollen, which could impact positively the fruit set. This study was carried out in the botanical garden of the university Peleforo Gon Coulibaly of Korhogo located in northern Cote d'Ivoire. Two varieties of maize (EV8728-SR and LG501) were used for this study. For each variety, 15 plants were protected from insect visits and 15 other plants were still unprotected. Ear mass, seed mass and seed number resulting from each treatment were analyzed. The findings showed that the average number of seeds per ear resulting from unprotected plants (V1: 445.8 ± 17.92 and V2: 442.27 ± 6.8) was significantly higher compared to the protected plants (V1: 242.13 ± 4.39 and V2: 208.6 ± 9.52) for each variety. The average mass of seeds resulting from unprotected plants (V1: 205.31 ± 2.23g and V2: 169.45 ± 5.15g) was also higher compared to the protected plants (V1: 101.79 ± 1.93g and V2: 77.49 ± 1.70g). Whatever the maize variety, the germination rate of seeds resulting from unprotected plants (V1: Tg = 96.67% and V2: Tg = 100%) was higher compared to the protected plants (V1: Tg = 66.67% and V2: Tg = 56.67%). This study are very relevant for farmers and scientists because, it showed clearly bee contribution in the maize production improvement.