Contribution to the Knowledge of Melliferous Plants: Pollen Analysis of Supposed Honeys of Dialium guineensis (FABACEAE), by the Beekeepers of Ziguinchor (Senegal)

Abstract

Pollen analysis, a technique for identifying pollen grains and hence the plant taxa visited by bees, is a means of clarifying the floral origin of honey. The objective of this study is to determine the pollen composition of the supposed honey of Dialium guineensis Willd to verify the geographical and botanical origins given by the beekeepers. The pollen analysis of the supposed honeys of Dialium guineensis was carried out according by authors. The identification and enumeration of the pollen was done under the microscope. Pollens are usually classified according to the four categories proposed by authors according to the value of the relative frequency (R F): dominant pollen whose frequency > 45%; accompanying pollen; 16 ≤ frequency ≤ 45%; Important isolated pollen; 3 ≤ frequency ≤ 15% pollen isolated when frequency < to 3%. A total of 14 taxa divided into 7 families were identified. Depending on the maximum FR value reached, the dominant taxa are Elaeis guineensis with a RF of 74.04% and Avicennia sp with 46.67%. The largest RF found for Dialium guineensis is 14.56%. The nectariferous taxa represent 45.45%, the nectariferous and polliniferous taxa 36.36% and the polliniferous taxa 18.18%. The Dialium guineensis is nectariferous but is not dominant in any of the samples. As for Elaeis guineensis, it is dominant in a single sample but cannot determine the botanical origin because it is a polliniferous plant. The botanical origin is determined by the nectarifer taxon hence the name of honey. The honey name of Dialium is not appropriate because the taxon is either isolated or isolated important. However we have honey from Avicennia sp or mangrove honey whose taxon is nectariferous and dominant in one of the samples.