Guwahati, June 7 -- Arathi Menon

Researchers from Nagaland University have identified stingless bee species that can pollinate efficiently to increase agricultural yield. This finding, the researchers claim, could significantly boost polyhouse farming in the country.

Thestudyfound that the stingless bee species -Tetragonula iridipennisSmith andLepidotrigona arciferaCockerell - when introduced under greenhouse conditions, were able to pollinate around 10 crops, including chilli, cucumber, watermelon, and squash varieties such as pumpkin.

Avinash Chauhan, scientist and principal investigator (AICRP Honeybees & Pollinators), Department of Entomology, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, confirms the details: "Stingless be...