Study on Identification and Establishment floral calendar of honey plants in Atakilty Kebele, Tigray, Ethiopia
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
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.
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Biology