Assessment of diversity of floral insects and their contribution on yields of Glycine max L. (Fabaceae) in Yaoundé, Cameroon

To evaluate the diversity and impact of pollinators insects on pod and seed yields of Glycine max, the foraging and pollinating behaviour were studied in Yaoundé, during the peak and mild raining season in 2017 and 2018. Treatments included unlimited floral access by all visitors and bagged flowers to avoid all pollinators insects. For each season of study, observations were made on 15075 ± 98 flowers per treatment. The diversity of pollinators insects, its foraging behaviour, and its impact on pollination were recorded. Ten species of pollinators insects were record on G. max flowers. The foraging activities of those insect increased the fruiting rate, the number of seeds/pod and the normal seeds as well as in 2017 and in 2018 (p < 0.001). Therefore, conservation of nests and colonies of pollinators insect close to G. max fields should be recommended to improve pod and seed production in the region.