Utilization and Conservation of Insect Pollinators in Commercial Flower Crops in Tropics and Subtropics

Pollination is a major phenomenon of dynamic ecological interaction in flower crops. The interaction between flower crops and pollinators is mutualistic. Flower adaptations over evolutionary period are designed to cater to the pollinators. Select species of flower crops are commercially cultivated under polyhouse/controlled and hi-tech mechanization conditions. These require a different set-up and species of pollinators for commercial flower production. The arrangement of petals, color, shape, size, and dispensation of flowers on a plant play a key role in attracting pollinators to plants. Select species of flowers have evolved even to deceive the pollinators! Human-induced changes in land use and environment have led to global pollinator crisis. Emphasis on pollinator research, impact of climate change on pollinators, sustainable agriculture, pollinator conservation, assessing impacts of invasives and reducing application of chemicals will facilitate food security and contribute to biodiversity conservation.