Effect of drought stress on the foraging behavior of insect pollinators and the reproductive success of canola (Brassica napus L.)

To appraise the effect of drought stress on foraging behavior (visitation frequency and visitation rate) insect pollinators its ultimate impact reproductive success canola (Brassica napus L.), an experiment was carried out at Research Farm MNSUniversity Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan. Previously, only a few studies have evaluated as predictor plant-pollinator interactions. Normal irrigated plots were separated by distance fifteen meters. received recommended number irrigations (three times) i.e., 1st irrigation 30 days after germination (DAG), 2nd flowering, 3rd pod setting. However, applied once to drought-stressed DAG. Twelve species in two orders five families visited flowers. These floral visitor grouped into three categories, Apis bees (honey bees), non-Apis bees, flies. The abundance significantly higher than plots, while flies did not differ both plots. Stay time all visitors rate interaction between pollination modes (open self-pollination) water regimes (normal stress) significant for parameters (silique length weight, seeds per silique, seed weight siliques plant fatty acid contents (%) seeds) under normal regime free visits treatment. Moreover, variation 83% 207% observed these receiving (free visits) due pollinator former ones. vary with no (no visits, caged treatment). In conclusion, negatively affected pollinators’ behavior, leading low canola. climate change scenario limited availability, future should consider other cross-pollinated crops varying environments fauna.