Quantifying Nectar Secretion Capacity of Dombeya torrida (J. F. Gmel.) for Honey Production

Year 2024, Volume: 16 Issue: 1, 15 - 22, 31.07.2024

Tura Bareke

Abstract

The honey production potential of a honey plant is assessed based on the total
floral nectar secretion capacity of the plant foraged by honeybees within a specific
location. This study aimed to assess the honey production potential of Dombeya
torrida plants by examining their nectar secretion dynamics. A group of flowers
was enclosed with mesh bags a day before collecting nectar to measure the
accumulated volume. Nectar volume, concentration, and ambient temperature
were measured at hourly intervals. The data collected were analyzed using
statistical methods including one-way ANOVA and linear regression. The average
sugar content per flower per season was found to be 14.3 mg, with a range from
2.3 to 47 mg. Based on this, each D. torrida tree was estimated to secrete an
average of 0.94 kg of sugar, with a range from 0.15 to 3.1 kg. Nectar volume and
concentration varied throughout the day, with temperature significantly
influencing nectar concentration. The study estimated that a single D. torrida tree
could yield around 1.2 kg of honey per flowering season, with a range from 0.18
to 3.78 kg. Additionally, on a larger scale, D. torrida plants were projected to
produce an average of 300 kilograms of honey per hectare, ranging from 45 kg to
945 kg. These findings suggest that D. torrida has considerable potential for honey
production. Consequently, planting and conservation of this plant for sustainable
honey production practices is recommended.

Keywords

Flower, Sugar, Concentration, Temperature

Ethical Statement

There are no ethical issues with the publication of this article.

Supporting Institution

Ethiopian Government fund

Thanks

The author would like to acknowledge the Holeta Bee Research Center and Oromia Agricultural Research Institute for providing required facilities and logistics. My sincere thanks also extended to Mr Tesfaye Abera, and our driver Bekele Gemechu for helping me during field data gathering.

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