UK-India Research Reveals Co-Flowering Techniques That Boost Crop Yields

Results revealed that flower visitor numbers and diversity were 50% and 33% higher, respectively, in sites with red gram and marigold flowers compared to those without. Orchards with co-flowering crops showed better quality crops, with larger moringa pods.

In a pioneering study conducted by UK researchers, led by a team from the University of Reading, the process of co-flowering with crops to attract bees and enhance crop yields has been explored for the first time in India. The recently published study in the 'Journal of Applied Ecology,' conducted on Monday, centered its investigation on the moringa crop—a nutrient-dense "superfood" cultivated in southern India.

The findings revealed a noteworthy outcome: the strategic planting of companion marigold flowers and red gram crops alongside moringa trees in orchards resulted in a substantial surge in the abundance and diversity of flower-visiting insects. This, in turn, translated into enhanced pollination and a subsequent increase in crop yields.

Dr. Deepa Senapathi from the University of Reading emphasized the efficacy of planting wildflowers on agricultural land—a proven and widely adopted technique in the UK and across Europe known to enhance insect pollinator numbers. Collaborating with farmers in South India, our team focused on designing optimal co-flowering crops to amplify the presence of native bees and other essential insect pollinators within moringa orchards.

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In a joint effort, ecologists from the UK university and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation conducted a collaborative study. The research project engaged smallholder farmers in the Kannivadi region of Tamil Nadu, focusing on 24 moringa orchards. Significantly, half of these orchards, totaling twelve, were strategically planted with red gram and marigold flowers, while the remaining twelve served as a control group without any co-flowering crops.

Results revealed that flower visitor numbers and diversity were 50% and 33% higher, respectively, in sites with red gram and marigold flowers compared to those without. Orchards with co-flowering crops showed better quality crops, with larger moringa pods. Sites that had previously suffered from a lack of pollination experienced higher yields, with numbers of harvestable moringa fruits increasing by 30% in the orchards with co-flowering crops.

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Dr. Senapathi underscored the far-reaching consequences of the research outcomes, noting, "The increased yields and improved fruit quality will directly contribute to a more robust and healthier food supply for smallholder communities. Additionally, farming communities stand to benefit by incorporating red gram into their diets as a valuable protein source and by generating additional income through the sale of marigold flowers."

The study, part of the TROPICAL project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Global Challenges Research Fund, aims to apply research evidence from the UK to tropical landscapes where pollinator-dependent crops are grown. With the negative impact of intensive farming practices and loss of natural habitats on biodiversity in India, the study highlights the potential for sustainable land management practices to benefit smallholder farmers in the tropics, where native pollinators play a crucial role in crop production.

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