Dynamics of honey productivity of <i>Robinia pseudoacacia</i> L. standsof the steppe Don region

Abstract

   The lands of the forest fund on the territory of the steppe Don region are distinguished by a significant spread over the area of the main melliferous plant Robinia pseudoacacia (R. Pseudoacaci L.), which has a high bioresource potential for the honey collection of the Rostov region. The objectives of the research included identifying the features of the honey productivity of R. pseudoacacia plantations, depending on the dynamics of taxation indicators and forest conditions in the steppe Don region. In order to study changes in the honey productivity of Robinia plantations, accounting work was carried out in pure and mixed stands in each age group. The relationship of the studied indicator of Robinia forest stand with taxation characteristics and growing conditions was revealed. The highest honey productivity (347.5 kg/ha) is observed in pure Robinia forest stands in the forest growing conditions of fresh glague - sedge oak groves, where at the age of 50 there is an intensive flowering of trees (80.060 thousand pieces) and active release of sugar in nectar (2.48 mg). According to the observations, the density of the forest stand decreases with age, and the number of flowers on the trees increases. The results of the research showed that at the age of 40 years, the honey productivity of a hectare of Robin plantations reaches its maximum (586.3 kg/ha). The equations for the dependence of honey productivity on the taxation characteristics of R. pseudoacacia plantations and the obtained high correlation coefficients indicate a close relationship between the studied indicators. The data obtained will make it possible in the future to calculate the honey productivity of Robinia forest stands more accurately, taking into account the dynamics of their taxation indicators.