The Importance of Plants Belonging to Asteraceae Family as a Pollen Source in Beekeeping

Abstract

In beekeeping, flowering plants grown in flora are important in terms of nectar and pollen. These plants are the only basic food sources for honey bees. This research was carried out in an area of approximately 2000 ha in Ordu, Altınordu District, and Dedeli Locality to identify the existing taxa and pollen sources in the flora. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is grown intensively in the study area. Along with hazelnut gardens, there are also forest areas consisting of several decares. Plant taxa were identified during the flowering period in March, April, and May the growing period and flight activity time of honeybees. Additionally, 200 samples were collected from the pollen pellets of three bee colonies placed in the area between 07.00 am and 03.00 pm, one day a week for three months. As a result of a two-year study, 156 taxa belonging to the Asteraceae family were identified. Considering the number of taxa (with five taxa) and pollen pellet density (16.53%), it was observed that the taxa belonging to Asteraceae family were preferred more than other taxa. Taraxacum officinale W., Bellis perennis L., Doronicum spp. B., Sonchus asper L., and Calendula arvensis L. have been found to be important by honey bees as a source of pollen for the Asteraceae family. Thus, it has been determined that honey bees do not prefer every taxa equally in the flora as a source of pollen.

Keywords

• Asteraceae
• Family
• Ordu
• Pollen

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