Browsing by Author "Belay, Tesfaye (PhD)"
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Item Study on Identification and Establishment floral calendar of honey plants in Atakilty Kebele, Tigray, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2006-06) Gebremichael, Tewelde; Jembere, Bekele (PhD); Seyoum, Emiru (PhD); Belay, Tesfaye (PhD)Identification of nectar and pollen source and the establishment of flowering calendar are important steps in beekeeping development program. Plants were collected using the herbarium techniques and honey pollen analysis was carried out following the methods adopted by Erdtman (1969) and Louveaux (1978). Both botanical collection of pollen and analysis of honey indicated that 39 plant species as nectar and pollen source plants in the area. Pollen analysis showed that Aloe berhana, Bidens pachyloma, Cparis erythrocarpus and Justicia shimperina are the major honeybee source plants. Pollen analysis of honey also showed that Pterolobium stelatum, Hypostes forskaolii, Acacia abyssinica, Zeziphes mucronata, Senna occidentalis, Olea europeae and Trifolium species are minor pollen sources in the area. The result of the respondent farmers, Woreda experts, and Kebele development agents also indicated that 16 honeybee plants were commonly identified as pollen source plants for honeybees. Some of the honey plants identified by the respondents are similar with the honey plants identified through pollen analysis from honey samples. From analysis interview it was possible to identify one flowering season and one honey-harvesting season in the area. The major honey-harvesting season begins from October to December and this is because most areas of the locality are covered by with herbaceous flora of weeds cultivated crops forest trees and shrubs. The trees, herbs and shrubs play major role for honey production and therefore beekeeping should be integrated with the vegetation conservation for livelihood improvement and food security.