NECTAR AND POLLEN SOURCES OF HONEY BEES IN THE SHIVALIK FOOTHILLS OF INDIA

摘要

Haryana, the HONEY BOWL of India has 8-month beefloral availability from November to June. To overcome late summer to rainy season dearth. forest plantation in Shivalik foothills of North India was evaluated. Here 18 plant species were recorded serving as nectar and pollen sources lo the honeybees whieh included 2 plantation crops, 3 cereals, I fruit trees, 3 vegetables and 9 weeds. The region abounded in nectar availability, khair (Acacia catechu L.) being the predominant source, though the bees invery low frequency foraged on Acacia sp. Pennisetum typhoides, Zizyphus mauritiana, Cucumis melo and unidentified gramincae weeds. Weeds like Parthenium hysterophonis L. (21.8%). Cypenis iria L. (14.9%) and Cynodon daclylon (14.1%) served as major pollensources from end June to beginning of August while Zea mays (15.2%) and A. nilotica (8.5%) provided pollen from July to August. Pennisetum typhoides (4.2%). Daclyloclenium aegyplium L. (1.8%) and unidentified gramineac weeds (15.4%) were other minor pollen sources. The region still lacked in optimum pollen availability to the honeybees. A. mellifera in one minute brought 19 pollen loads of P. hyslerophorus, 5.3 of C. Iria and 1.3 of C. daclylon. Comb raising, drone tolerance and extraction of an average of 12-kg honey/colony proved suitability of Shivalik foothills as a viable migratory silc.