Surveying, identification and characterization for the potential honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) pollen sources in the arid region of Riyadh-Saudi Arabia

Year 2023, Volume: 15 Issue: 1, 1 - 11, 31.07.2023

Abdulraouf Amro , Mohamed Omar Mohamed Ahmad Al Ghamdi

Abstract

This study was conducted targeting identification and documentation of major
honeybee plants as pollen sources and their phenology in the central arid region
of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). Pollen loads were collected using pollen traps and were
classified according to their color then traced back to plant species level.
Throughout the year, sixteen plant species belonging to 10 plant families has been
recorded and investigated by Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM). Asian mustard (Brassica tournefortii Gouan.) (15.91%), willow
wattle (Acacia salicina Lindl.) (15.17%), mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) (Sw.) DC.
(21.81%) and cat's head (Tribulus terresetris L. var. terrestris) (15.52%) were the
dominant sources of pollen. The period from May to July was found to be a
significant blooming period and the scarcity period was from December to March
in the study area. Color, size and shape of the potential pollen sources were
variable between different species. Beekeepers could trap pollen loads that were
collected from these sources during February, April and July, respectively. In
conclusion, wise use and rehabilitation of these potentially identified bee plant
species shall be considered in attempting beekeeping development.

Keywords

Apis melllifera L., Forage Plants, Pollen grains, Brassica spp., Botanical sources

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the curators of the National Herbarium (RIY) in the Botany and Microbiology department for providing herbarium specimens. Thanks are also extended to the staff at the SEM, Structural Studies Research Service for providing the facilities.

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