Bee visitation, nectar productivity and pollen efficiency of common buckwheat

Key words: bee pollination, nectar productivity, pollen forming ability Common buckwheat is broadly used for honey production in bee-keeping as well as for grain production. Due to its short vegetative period and the possibility of cultivation during the whole non-frost period, common buckwheat can be used as a honey-producing crop. Bees visit buckwheat for the collection of nectar and pollen grains. Honey and pollen efficiency of buckwheat depends on the biological characteristics of cultivated varieties. INTRODUTION Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a multipurpose crop. Buckwheat is one of the most important pseudo-cereals of secondary importance and is broadly used for honey production in bee-keeping as well as for grain production. Common buckwheat is known to possess sexual di-morphism (Campbell, 1976).Grains are formed following pollination of two different types of flowers. Bees ar