International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives
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Interna. J. Multidisp. Perspectives | Volume 06, Issue 01, 140-1146 | https://doi.org/10.18801/ijmp.060126.23
Article type: Research article, First published online: 20 January, 2026.
Article type: Research article, First published online: 20 January, 2026.
Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh
Husnayara Hira 1, Md. Eakramul Haque 2, Md. Rashedul Islam 3, Md. Sadiquzzaman Sarker 3, Md. Mezbahur Rahman 4 and Md. Rashedul Islam 5
1 Centre for Environmental Management, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University, Australia.
2 On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Rangpur, Bangladesh.
3 Department of Agricultural Extension, Rangpur, Bangladesh.
4 Department of Agricultural Extension, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
5 Department of Entomology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.
✉ Corresponding author: [email protected] (Hira, H.).
1 Centre for Environmental Management, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University, Australia.
2 On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Rangpur, Bangladesh.
3 Department of Agricultural Extension, Rangpur, Bangladesh.
4 Department of Agricultural Extension, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
5 Department of Entomology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.
✉ Corresponding author: [email protected] (Hira, H.).
Abstract
Pollination by insects is critical for seed production in onion (Allium cepa L.), a cross-pollinated crop that relies heavily on biotic pollinators. This study was conducted during the 2023–24 cropping season in the Rangpur region of Bangladesh to evaluate the diversity of foraging insects in onion fields and their impact on seed yield and quality. A randomized full block design was used to examine six different pollination techniques, including dill intercropping, open pollination, honeybee-assisted pollination, insect exclusion and hand pollination. A diverse array of pollinators was recorded, with honeybees (Apis mellifera, Apis cerana), solitary bees (Megachile spp.), hoverflies (Eristalis spp.), and butterflies (Danaus spp.) being the most frequent visitors. Pollinator activity peaked between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM, with solitary bees and honeybees exhibiting the highest visitation rates. Seed yield was significantly enhanced in treatments with honeybee colonies (823.3 kg/ha), open pollination with dill (781.6 kg/ha) and hand-assisted pollination (753.0 kg/ha), compared to the lowest yield in insect-excluded plots (355.0 kg/ha). Seed quality parameters-including 1000-seed weight, germination rate, and reduced deformity-also improved significantly in insect-accessible treatments. These findings highlight the indispensable role of foraging insects in onion seed production and underscore the need for pollinator-friendly practices, such as managed bee colonies and flowering intercrops, to optimize yield and seed quality.
Key Words: Foraging insects, Diversity, Onion seed yield and Rangpur
Pollination by insects is critical for seed production in onion (Allium cepa L.), a cross-pollinated crop that relies heavily on biotic pollinators. This study was conducted during the 2023–24 cropping season in the Rangpur region of Bangladesh to evaluate the diversity of foraging insects in onion fields and their impact on seed yield and quality. A randomized full block design was used to examine six different pollination techniques, including dill intercropping, open pollination, honeybee-assisted pollination, insect exclusion and hand pollination. A diverse array of pollinators was recorded, with honeybees (Apis mellifera, Apis cerana), solitary bees (Megachile spp.), hoverflies (Eristalis spp.), and butterflies (Danaus spp.) being the most frequent visitors. Pollinator activity peaked between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM, with solitary bees and honeybees exhibiting the highest visitation rates. Seed yield was significantly enhanced in treatments with honeybee colonies (823.3 kg/ha), open pollination with dill (781.6 kg/ha) and hand-assisted pollination (753.0 kg/ha), compared to the lowest yield in insect-excluded plots (355.0 kg/ha). Seed quality parameters-including 1000-seed weight, germination rate, and reduced deformity-also improved significantly in insect-accessible treatments. These findings highlight the indispensable role of foraging insects in onion seed production and underscore the need for pollinator-friendly practices, such as managed bee colonies and flowering intercrops, to optimize yield and seed quality.
Key Words: Foraging insects, Diversity, Onion seed yield and Rangpur
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Article Citations:
MLA
Hira, H. et al. “Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh”. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 05(02) (2024): 140-146.
APA
Hira, H., Haque, M. E., Islam, M. R., Sarker, M. S., Rahman, M. M. and Islam, M. R. (2024). Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 05(02), 140-146.
Chicago
Hira, H., Haque, M. E., Islam, M. R., Sarker, M. S., Rahman, M. M. and Islam, M. R. “Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh”. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 05(02) (2024): 140-146.
Harvard
Hira, H., Haque, M. E., Islam, M. R., Sarker, M. S., Rahman, M. M. and Islam, M. R. 2024. Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 05(02), pp. 140-146.
Vancouver
Hira, H, Haque, ME, Islam, MR, Sarker, MS, Rahman, MM and Islam, MR. Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 2024 August, 05(02), 140-146.
Hira, H. et al. “Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh”. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 05(02) (2024): 140-146.
APA
Hira, H., Haque, M. E., Islam, M. R., Sarker, M. S., Rahman, M. M. and Islam, M. R. (2024). Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 05(02), 140-146.
Chicago
Hira, H., Haque, M. E., Islam, M. R., Sarker, M. S., Rahman, M. M. and Islam, M. R. “Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh”. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 05(02) (2024): 140-146.
Harvard
Hira, H., Haque, M. E., Islam, M. R., Sarker, M. S., Rahman, M. M. and Islam, M. R. 2024. Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 05(02), pp. 140-146.
Vancouver
Hira, H, Haque, ME, Islam, MR, Sarker, MS, Rahman, MM and Islam, MR. Diversity of foraging insects and their effects on onion seed yield in Rangpur region of Bangladesh. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 2024 August, 05(02), 140-146.
References
[1]. Abrol, D. P. (2012). Pollination biology: Biodiversity conservation and agricultural production. Springer Science & Business Media.
[2]. Goulson, D., Nicholls, E., Botías, C. and Rotheray, E. L. (2015). Bee declines driven by combined stress from parasites, pesticides, and lack of flowers. Science, 347(6229), 1255957. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1255957
[3]. Hosamani, A. C., Mallesh, S. B. and Prabhakar, M. (2014). Role of pollinators in onion seed production. The Bioscan, 9(2), 667–670.
[4]. Hosamani, V., Patil, B. V. and Goud, V. V. (2012). Influence of different pollination techniques on seed yield and quality in onion. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 25(4), 535–538.
[5]. Karuppaiah, V., Manickavasagam, S. and Baskaran, R. (2013). Diversity and pollination efficiency of insect visitors on onion (Allium cepa L.). Madras Agricultural Journal, 100(1–3), 131–134.
[6]. Karuppaiah, V., Thiyagarajan, S. and Sankar, P. (2020). Insect Pollinators and Their Role in Onion Seed Production. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 8(1), 233–239.
[7]. Kevan, P. G. and Viana, B. F. (2003). The global decline of pollination services. Biodiversity, 4(4), 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/14888386.2003.9712703
[8]. Potts, S. G., Biesmeijer, J. C., Kremen, C., Neumann, P., Schweiger, O. and Kunin, W. E. (2010). Global pollinator declines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(6), 345–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2010.01.007
[9]. Saeed, S., Bashir, M. A., Khan, R. R. and Ahmad, F. (2008). Insect pollination increases quantity and quality of onion (Allium cepa) seeds. Pakistan Entomologist, 30(2), 103–107.
[10]. Singh, B., Rana, R. S. and Gautam, S. S. (2006). Role of pollinators in seed production of onion (Allium cepa L.). Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 76(8), 496–498.
[11]. Westerkamp, C. and Gottsberger, G. (2000). Pollination systems of the neotropical genus Mucuna (Fabaceae) and the evolution of bat pollination. American Journal of Botany, 87(4), 667–684.
[2]. Goulson, D., Nicholls, E., Botías, C. and Rotheray, E. L. (2015). Bee declines driven by combined stress from parasites, pesticides, and lack of flowers. Science, 347(6229), 1255957. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1255957
[3]. Hosamani, A. C., Mallesh, S. B. and Prabhakar, M. (2014). Role of pollinators in onion seed production. The Bioscan, 9(2), 667–670.
[4]. Hosamani, V., Patil, B. V. and Goud, V. V. (2012). Influence of different pollination techniques on seed yield and quality in onion. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 25(4), 535–538.
[5]. Karuppaiah, V., Manickavasagam, S. and Baskaran, R. (2013). Diversity and pollination efficiency of insect visitors on onion (Allium cepa L.). Madras Agricultural Journal, 100(1–3), 131–134.
[6]. Karuppaiah, V., Thiyagarajan, S. and Sankar, P. (2020). Insect Pollinators and Their Role in Onion Seed Production. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 8(1), 233–239.
[7]. Kevan, P. G. and Viana, B. F. (2003). The global decline of pollination services. Biodiversity, 4(4), 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/14888386.2003.9712703
[8]. Potts, S. G., Biesmeijer, J. C., Kremen, C., Neumann, P., Schweiger, O. and Kunin, W. E. (2010). Global pollinator declines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(6), 345–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2010.01.007
[9]. Saeed, S., Bashir, M. A., Khan, R. R. and Ahmad, F. (2008). Insect pollination increases quantity and quality of onion (Allium cepa) seeds. Pakistan Entomologist, 30(2), 103–107.
[10]. Singh, B., Rana, R. S. and Gautam, S. S. (2006). Role of pollinators in seed production of onion (Allium cepa L.). Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 76(8), 496–498.
[11]. Westerkamp, C. and Gottsberger, G. (2000). Pollination systems of the neotropical genus Mucuna (Fabaceae) and the evolution of bat pollination. American Journal of Botany, 87(4), 667–684.
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives.