International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies
2020, Vol. 7 Issue 4, Part C
Assessment on honeybee flora species with their time of flowering in East and Horo Guduru Wollega, Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia
Author(s):
Amsalu Arega, Tusa gemechu and Megersa Debela
Abstract:
The study were conducted to identify major and minor honey bee plants to prepare a checklist of melliferous plants with their annual flowering periods in three representative districts of highlands H/G/Wollega (J/Ganati, Horro and J/Jarte) and two districts in midland of East Wollega (S/Sire and G/seyo). For the interview, the total of 94 beekeepers were selected by the appointment of Woreda experts and from each districts honey samples were taken from five kebeles at 5km distant within three honey flow season and mellissopalynology was done. The survey result indicated that (97.9%) of respondents are male and majority of them were primary school educated (33%), age 18-30 were (33.1%), occupation (94.7%) farmers and majority of them were start beekeeping >1993 (54.3%) by catching colony (54.3%). Based on the interview with bee keepers and visual observations,92 important plant species with their habits were recorded, out of which 28 species were found as major and 64 species were found as minor honey bee flora sources in both agro ecology. It was also indicated that some of honey bee flora species identified by the respondent were similar with honey bee plant identified through pollen analysis from honey samples within each honey flow season. Based on most frequently flowering season majority of honey bee flora species of the area flower in first season (September to November) and second season (December to February) in all districts that indicate two Major nectar and pollen flow period and bee keeper can: establish apiary site, install bee hives, divide colonies, add supers, use swarm control measures and harvest honey. The next honey flow season (March to May), which is third honey flow season for highlands (J/Jarte, Horo and J/Ganati, but it is dearth period for midland(S/Sire and G/Sayo). Since the time from June to August is the dearth period for all districts: supper reduction and supplementary feeding is recommended and mellisopalynology from pollen load is timely essential to establish floral calendar.
Pages: 156-163 | 1898 Views 870 Downloads
Amsalu Arega, Tusa gemechu and Megersa Debela. Assessment on honeybee flora species with their time of flowering in East and Horo Guduru Wollega, Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia. Int. J. Fauna Biol. Stud. 2020;7(4):156-163.