ABSTRACT
Fruits and seeds are the economic products of most crop plants. Successful pollination is of vital importance to realize optimal yield. Increasing local populations of native pollinator species through habitat management is one approach to removing pollination constraint. Increased pollination efficiency can lead to increase in crop value by increasing crop yield, uniformity, quality and decreasing the time of crop maturity. Several effective approaches are available to overcome pollination constraint. Introduction of beehives in crop fields to enhance pollination efficiency and thus crop yield was known as early as 1892. Management of honey-bees for pollination services was confined largely to field-grown crops. Pollen collectors are generally more effective pollinators than honey collectors. Effective management strategies have to be followed to retain pollinators on the target crop. One of the most effective long-term strategies for improving pollination efficiency is rational breeding of crops as well as honey-bees.
