Tue May 27 02:40:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A new study by researchers at Nagaland University in India has revealed that stingless bees can significantly increase the yield and quality of various crops, including chilli peppers, cucumbers, and pumpkins. The study identified *Tetragonula iridipennis* and *Lepidotrigona arcifera* as particularly effective pollinators. Introducing these bees in greenhouse conditions led to substantial increases in fruit set and seed weight compared to non-pollinated crops. Researchers are now focusing on improving beekeeping techniques, promoting awareness of the importance of pollinators, and exploring the potential of stingless bees for a wider range of fruits and vegetables.
**News Article:**
**Stingless Bees Buzzing with Potential to Boost Crop Yields, Indian Study Finds**
**GUWAHATI – May 27, 2025** – A decade-long study conducted by entomologists at Nagaland University has revealed the significant potential of stingless bees to enhance crop production across India. The research, published in the *International Journal of Farm Sciences*, demonstrates that these bees, prized for their medicinal honey, can dramatically improve both the yield and quality of a range of crops.
The study, led by Avinash Chauhan and Imtinaro L., identified *Tetragonula iridipennis* and *Lepidotrigona arcifera* as the most effective pollinators among 11 insect species observed foraging on chilli plants. Under greenhouse conditions, the introduction of these stingless bees led to a marked increase in fruit set, with King Chilli yields rising by almost 30% compared to non-pollinated crops. Common chilli varieties also saw a boost, with a 7.42% increase in fruit set.
“Stingless bees offer a safe and effective method for pollination, without the risk of stings,” explained Dr. Chauhan. “Their medicinal honey and pollination prowess offer significant benefits to all stakeholders and support the development of strategic crop pollination calendars.”
The study also demonstrated that stingless bee pollination improved seed weight in chilli, a key indicator of viability, by over 60%. Researchers expanded their observations to other crops, including cucumber, ash gourd, watermelon, tomato, pumpkin, brinjal, and dragon fruit, noting promising results. They also explored the potential of these bees for pollinating fruits like mango, guava, gooseberry, and Indian jujube.
Stingless bees are prevalent in the northeastern, eastern, and southern regions of India, where they are often reared in traditional homestead apiaries. The team at Nagaland University is now concentrating on refining beekeeping practices and promoting scientific beekeeping to optimize honey production and pollination efforts. Crucially, they are also working to raise awareness about the importance of conserving wild honey bees and other pollinators, crucial for maintaining biodiversity and agricultural productivity. This is especially important given the title The View From India Looking at World Affairs from the Indian perspective.
First Piper 