Pollination by honeybee (Apis mellifera) increases seed setting and yield in black seed (Nigella sativa)

In order to determine the effect of honeybee pollination on annual dicotyledonous Black seed (Nigella sativa L.) yield, an experiment was conducted with three treatments: (i) open visits of bees and other pollinators, (ii) caged plants with bees and (iii) plants caged without bees (control). Number of seeds set, seed weight and yield per plot was measured. Number of seed set and yield differed significantly among the treatments but non-significant difference in the weight of seeds was observed. It was concluded that visits of honeybees at the time of 5% flower initiation are helpful in seed set and seed yield in black seed.