Pollen analysis of summer honeys from Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Eighteen Apis dorsata Fabricius summer honey samples collected from Prayagraj District (Uttar Pradesh) during the summer season were analysed for pollen content. A total of 43 pollen types belonging to 26 plant families were found in these samples. Five of the 18 honey samples were found to be unifloral; 13 were multifloral. In terms of frequency, pollen of Syzygium cumini, Azadirachta indica and Coriandrum sativum were recorded as predominant pollen types, 11 pollen types as secondary pollen types, 23 as important minor pollen types, and 38 as minor pollen types. The Asteraceae family showed the highest frequency of occurrence. Four pollen types were recorded in more than 50% of the honey samples: Ageratum conyzoides, Bombax ceiba, Azadirachta indica and Syzygium cumini. Absolute pollen type counts per 10 g of honey samples ranged from group II to group V. The aim of determining and evaluating the pollen data was to infer the flora visited by the honeybees during the summer season in Prayagraj District. The findings were correlated with the pattern of vegetation in the vicinity of the bee hive sites during honey production. The study indicates that Prayagraj District has good potential for beekeeping ventures, due to the high diversity of nectar- and pollen-producing taxa during the summer season.