Insect Pollinators and Their Impact on Maize Yield in District Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

The research on the diversity and population of pollinators and their effect on the yield Pollinators play a critical role in the agriculture sector, contributing significantly to crop quality and yield, especially in insect-mediated pollination. Among these, Apis mellifera stands out, accounting for 34-35% of pollination services globally. This study explores the diversity, population, and impact of pollinators on the yield of three maize varieties—Azam, Jalal, and Kaptan—in both caged and uncaged conditions. A total of eight pollinator species belonging to Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera were recorded. Apis mellifera was the most abundant species, followed by Apis dorsata, Cotinis nitida, and Xylocopa pubescens. Significant differences were observed between morning and afternoon pollinator populations, with the latter recording higher numbers. Yield analysis revealed that uncaged crops significantly outperformed caged crops across all parameters, including 1000 grain weight, cob length, and number of grains per cob. The Azam variety exhibited the highest yield among the three varieties studied. Restricted pollinator activity in caged conditions resulted in reduced yields, highlighting the essential role of pollinators in maize production. Furthermore, the use of pesticides and habitat destruction emerged as major threats to pollinator populations, necessitating conservation efforts such as providing food, shelter, and diverse floral resources. This study underscores the importance of pollinators not only for agricultural productivity but also for maintaining ecological balance.