Floral Phenology of Bee Pasture Plants in Northwestern Cagayan (Phase 1)

Abstract

Sufficient knowledge of floral phenology is the prerequisite to startbeekeeping. In August 2010 to July 2011, the researchers conducted a study inNorthwestern Cagayan to determine the existing bee flora and develop a floralcalendar in relation to pollen and nectar availability in the area. The study useddescriptive research utilizing quadrant method to obtain the data for this study.Analysis of data included frequency count. Based on ocular observations andsurvey, 55 plant species were highly abundant sources for honey and pollen.These species were identified as tree, palm, herb, and weeds. The study ascertains sixteen flowering plants as extremely important as those blossoms continually.The honey flow period is on March to May with the most number of bloomingplants like Artocarpus ovatus, Premna odorata, Antidesma bunius, Dipterocarpspp., Gliricidia sepium, Coffea sp., Diospyros philippinensis, Pterocarpus spp., Vitexparviflora, Melanolepis multiglandolosa and Ficus variegata. The dearth periodis July to September as Semaena saman, Terminalia microcarpa, and Portulaceaoleracea only bloom during these months. Northwestern Cagayan is suitable toinitiate bee farming. However, climatic factors restrict the phenological periodof most species. Plant attributes and taxonomic membership strongly relate toflowering phenodynamics in the different floras studied.Keywords: Ecology and conservation, floral phenology, bee flora, honey flow, dearthperiod, descriptive research, Philippines