Insect Pollination is Necessary for the Production of Muskmelons (Cucumis Melo V. Reticulatus)

Abstract

Inadequately pollinated muskmelon flowers on normal or nectarless plants dropped or developed into malformed fruits. Nectarless muskmelons planted in small numbers among normal plants were visited regularly by honeybees, and they set fruits as well as normal plants in such arrangements. Nectarless muskmelons planted in large numbers with a few normal plants among them were visited occasionally by bees, and they set fruits late and erratically. Nectarless muskmelons planted in isolation were avoided by bees and set very few fruits.