Vol. 3, Special Issue 3, Part F (2017)

Abstract
The investigations were carried out on the flowering phenology and floral biology, flower dynamics, pollen production, pollen viability, pollen: ovule ratio, stigma receptivity, nectar production, flower visitors dynamics, censuses and activity, flower visitors behaviour, pollen load carried out by foragers and role of insect pollination in increasing fruit set and seed yield in Sesamum indicum L (Pedaliaceae). The plants cultivated around Arvi Tahasil, Dist. Wardha (M.S.) were selected for studies. In S. indicum In S. indicum, flowering starts form second week of August and full bloom was during last week of August and ends towards first week of October. Upper leaves lanceolate, entire, the lower often cut at the base into 2 or more serrate segments, glabrous above, puberulous beneath, flower pinkish-purple, corolla pubescent outside. The anther dehiscence takes place during 07.30 hrs to 08.00 hrs. Stigma becomes receptive during the flower opening at about 09.00 hrs. to 08.30 hrs. The pollen production was 3838.23  463.84pollen grains per flower. Percentage of pollen viability in T.T.C. was found to be 94.56% Pollen: ovule ratio was 6069.85.The stigma becomes receptive before anther dehiscence during 09.00 hrs. to 08.30 hrs. Nectar production was observed on the day of flower opening. Nectar quantity was found to be 0.47  0.01µl, 0.76  0.01 µl and 0.10  0.01µl at two hours interval from 09.00 hrs. onwards. The dominant visitors were A. dorsata, large size black colour bee (unidentified), small black colour bee (unidentified), A. florea and red colour bee (unidentified). Pollen load carried by A. dorsata, 35640 Xylocopa spp. carried 73923 pollen grains. Experimental pollination showed increase in number and weight of seed during open and bee pollination against the self-pollination. Yield was higher during bee pollination than self and open pollination.