Plants foraged by bees for honey production in northern India: The diverse flora of India and its implications for apiculture
 
More details
Hide details
1
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, 53 University Road, Lucknow 226007, India
 
 
Online publication date: 2017-06-15
 
 
Publication date: 2017-06-15
 
 
Acta Palaeobotanica 2017; 57(1): 119-132
 
ABSTRACT
The plants foraged by bees for honey production vary from place to place in the diverse flora of India. This paper reports a palynological study of honey from eight sites of agriculture and urbanisation in the Gangetic Plain of Uttar Pradesh (UP), and presents data from similar studies done in India. Pollen grains of 55 species were recorded in the honey from south-western, central and eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, where Ageratum conyzoides, a noxious invasive weed, is a very dominant plant taxon. The second plant community used for foraging by honeybees consists of Syzygium cumini, Feronia limonia, Eucalyptus globulus, Prosopis spicigera, Prosopis juliflora, Brassica campestris, Pimpinella tomentosa, Xanthium strumarium, and Ziziphus sp. The third plant community foraged by honeybees includes diverse plant species such as Capparis sp., Ficus sp., Murraya koenigii, Aegle marmelos, and Tinospora cordifolia, as well as Caryophyllaceae and nectarless families. The last group of plants foraged by honeybees comprises ca 37 species sparsely present in the vicinity. If honeybees have access to their preferred plant species they rarely visit non-preferred species, but in the urban and rural agricultural areas where the vegetation is sparse they are forced to forage several other plants including invasive species. The quality and character of honey, whether multifloral, monofloral, or bifloral, largely indicates the changing pattern of vegetation in a particular area, and can furnish decadal to century-scale information about the vegetational changes induced by climate or anthropopression. Palynological data also shed light on medicinally important or allergenic pollen protein present in honey (valuable information for consumers) and the details about plant taxa foraged by honeybees can be used for branding and marketing particular types of honey.
 
REFERENCES (48)
1.
AGASHE S.N. & RANGASWAMY B.E. 1997. Melittopalynological studies of honey samples from Bagardka, Dakshin Kannada District, Karnataka. Indian Bee J., 59(1): 8–11.
 
2.
ATTRI P.K. 2010. Melissopalynological investigations on Apis cerana autumn honey collected from Chamba District of the Himachal Pradesh. Int. J. Sci. Nat., 1(1): 67–72.
 
3.
BERA S., BHORAI N., MANDAL K.C., BERA S.K. & TRIVEDI A. 2004. Role of Syrphus serarius Wied. as a pollinator in Darjeeling Hills, West Bengal: palynological assessment. Geophytology, 34: 115–119.
 
4.
BHARGAVA H.R., JYOTHI J.V.A., BHUSHANAM M. & SURENDRA N.S. 2009. Pollen analysis of Apis honey, Karnataka, India. Apicata, 44: 14–19.
 
5.
CHATURVEDI M. 1976. Further investigation of the pollen load from Banthra, India. New Botanist, 4(1–4): 41–48.
 
6.
CHATURVEDI M. 1983. Pollen analysis of autumn honeys of Kumaon region. Proc. Indian Nat. Sci. Acad., B, 49(2): 125–133.
 
7.
CHATURVEDI M. & SHARMA M. 1973. An analysis of honeybee pollen loads from Banthra, Lucknow, India. Grana, 13: 159–144.
 
8.
CHAUBAL P.D. & KOTMIRE S.Y. 1985. Melissopalynological aspects of mangroves. I. Honey analysis: 398–400. In: Bhosale L.J., (ed.) The Mangroves: Proceedings of National Symposium on Biology, Utilization and Conservation of Mangroves, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India.
 
9.
CHAUHAN M.S. & BERA S.K. 1990. Pollen morphology of some important plants of tropical deciduous Sal (Shorea robusta) forests, district Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh. Geophytology, 20(1): 30–36.
 
10.
CHAUHAN M.S. & MURTHY S. 2011. Melittopalynological investigation of honeys from Chamaraja Nagar District, southern Karnataka. Geophytology, 39(1–2): 41–47.
 
11.
CHAUHAN M.S. & QUAMAR M.F. 2010. Melissopalynological studies of honeys from Harda District, Madhya Pradesh. Phytomorphology, 60(3–4): 122–127.
 
12.
CHAUHAN M.S. & SINGH S.K. 2010. Melittopalynological investigation of honey from Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh. J. App. Biosci., 36(2): 133–136.
 
13.
CHAUHAN M.S. & TRIVEDI A. 2011. Pollen analysis of honey from Lucknow District, Uttar Pradesh. J. App. Biosci., 37(1): 48–51.
 
14.
CHAUHAN M.S., TRIVEDI A. & SHARMA A. 2013. Pollen analysis of multifloral honeys from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Phytomorphology, 63: (3–4).
 
15.
CHAUHAN M.S., FAROOQUI A & TRIVEDI A. 2015. Impact of Urbanisation, Deforestation and Foraging Pattern of Honey bees. Ind. J. App. Res., 5(4): 44–47.
 
16.
CHAYA P. & Varma Y.N.R. 2010. Nectar source for honey bees during winter season in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh, South India. Geophytology, 38(1–2): 75–84.
 
17.
DEODIKAR G.B., SHAH N., THAKAR C.V. & SALVI S.R. 1958. Morphological characterization of pollen grains of some major bee plants of Mahabaleshwar hills. Proceedings of 17th International Bee Keeping Congress, Bologna and Rome, 214–217.
 
18.
DIXIT S., BASUMATARY S.K., BERA S.K., RAHMAN A., RABHA D. & THOMAS S. 2012. Melissopalynological investigation from Goalpara district of Assam, northeast India. J. Palynol., 47: 77–87.
 
19.
ERDTMAN G. 1943. An Introduction to Pollen Analysis. Chronica Botanica, Massachusetts, USA.
 
20.
EZEAMUZIE D.I., THOMSON M.S., AL-ALI S., DOWAISAN A., KHAN M., & HIJAZI Z. 2000. Asthma in the desert: spectrum of the sensitizing aeroallergens. Allergy, 55: 157–162.
 
21.
FREITAS B.M. & SILVA E.M.S. 2006. Potencial apoicola da vegetacao do semi-aridobrasileiro: 19–32. In: Santos F.A.R. (ed.) Apium plantae. Recife: IMSEAR.
 
22.
GARG A. & NAIR P.K.K. 1994. Seasonal analysis of honey bee pollen loads from a temperate zone in Kumaon Himalaya in Uttar Pradesh 1. Spring season loads from Bhimtal area. J. Palynol., 30: 1–34.
 
23.
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR BEE BOTANY [ICBB]. 1970. Methods of melissopalynology. Bee World, 51: 125–138.
 
24.
JANA D. & BERA S. 2004. Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham. as major nectar source for honeybees during mid-summer days in Sunderbans, West Bengal, India. Phytomorphology, 54: 51–57.
 
25.
JHANSI P., KALPANA T.P. & RAMANUJAM C.G.K. 1994. Pollen analysis of some Apis cerana Fbr. honeys from Andhra Pradesh, India. Apidologie, 25: 289–296.
 
26.
KALPANA TP., KHATIJA F. & RAMANUJAM C.G.K. 1990. Pollen analysis of Apis cerana and Apis florae honeys from Adikmet area, Hyderabad. Proc. Indian Acad. Scie. (Plant Science), 100: 183–193.
 
27.
KILLIAN S. & MCMICHAEL J. 2004. The human allergens of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) Clinical and Molecular Allergy, 2: 8. DOI:10.1186/1476-7961-2-8.
 
28.
LAKSHMI K. & SURYANARAYANA M.C. 2004. Melittopalynological investigation of Apis dorsata honeys from forest areas of Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh. J. Palynol., 40: 189–198.
 
29.
LOUVEAUX J., MAURIZIO A. & VORWHOL G. 1978. Methods of melissopalynology. Bee World, 59: 139–157.
 
30.
MILDENHALL D.C. 1990. Forensic palynology in New Zealand. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 64: 227–234.
 
31.
MOAR N.T. 1985. Pollen analysis of New Zealand honeys. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 28: 39–70.
 
32.
NAIM M. & PHADKE K.G. 1972. Flight range of Apis cerana indica when enticed to a feeding dish. J. Apicultural Res., 11: 167–169.
 
33.
NAYAR T.S. 1990. Pollen Flora of Maharashtra State, India. Today’s & Tomorrow’s Publishers & Printers, New Delhi.
 
34.
ORWA C., A MUTUA., KINDT R., JAMNADAS R. & ANTHONY S. 2009. Agroforestree Datbase: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0 http:/www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/tredbs /tredatbase.asp.
 
35.
Pal K.P. & Karmarkar P. 2013. Pollen analysis in understanding the foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera in Gangetic West Bengal. Geophytology, 42(2): 93–114.
 
36.
PENDAKUR A. & RAMDAS B. 2012. Changing scenario of airborne allergens in Bangalore, India. J. World Allergy Organ, 5(Suppl 2): S92. DOI: 10.1097/01.WOX.0000411984.10675.23.
 
37.
RAMAKRISHNA H. & SWATHI S. 2013. Pollen diversity in some Apis florae honeys from Adilabad District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Geophytology, 42(1): 11–20.
 
38.
RAMANUJAM C.G.K. & KALPANA T.P. 1991. Pollen analysis of Prosopis juliflora honeys from Ranga Reddy district, A.P. and its relevance to apiculture and social forestry. J. Palynol., 27: 345–368.
 
39.
RAMANUJAM C.G.K. & KHATIJA F. 1992. Summer pollen sources of Apis dorsata honeybees in deciduous forest of Mahboobnagar District, A.P. Geophytology, 21: 155–161.
 
40.
RAMANUJAM C.G.K., REDDY P.R. & KALPANA T.P. 1992. Pollen analysis of apiary honeys from East Godavari District, A.P. J. Indian Indust. Sci., 72(4): 289–299.
 
41.
SEETHALAKSHMI T.S. 1980. Melittopalynological investigations on some Indian honeys. Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Apiculture of Tropical Climates, New Delhi, India: 609–620.
 
42.
SHARMA M. 1970. An analysis of pollen load of honeybee from Kangra, India. Grana, 10: 35–42.
 
43.
SHARMA O.P. & RAJ D. 1985. Diversity of bee flora in Kangra Shivaliks and its impact on the bee keeping. Indian Bee J., 47(1–4): 21–23.
 
44.
SIVARAM V. & ANITA M. 2000. Studies on the feasibility of commercial be keeping in Western Ghat forests for sustainable forest management. Asian Bee Journal, 2(1): 25–31.
 
45.
SIVARAM V., ANITA M. & REDDY C.C. 1993. The Preservation and Management of wild honeybees for Pollination. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Pollination in Tropics, August 8–13, Bangalore, India: 251–253.
 
46.
SURYANARAYANA M.C., RAO G.M. & SINGH T.S.M.S. 1992. Studies on pollen sources for Apis cerana Fabr and Apis mellifera L. bees at Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India. Apidologie, 23: 33–48.
 
47.
VERMA S.K. 1988. Foraging behaviour of Apis cerana indica Fabr. in Jeolekote (Nainital, India). Indian Bee Journal, 45(1): 5–7.
 
48.
WINGENROTH M.C. 2001. Honey types and pollen grains of Asuncion Lavalle, Mendoza, Argentina, vegetal origin and possible management of the beehive production. Proceedings of 37th International Apicultural Congress, Durban, South Africa, 28 October – 1 Nov., 2001: 1–17.
 
 
CITATIONS (14):
1.
Melissopalynological studies on winter honeys from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Manju Sahney, Snehlata Rahi, Ajay Kumar, Roma Jaiswal
Palynology
 
2.
Melissopalinological characteristic of stingless bee (Trigona/Tetragonula) honey in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
L Anggadhania, N Wahyuni, K Rizqiani
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
 
3.
Characterization of pollen profile of Apis mellifera L. in arid region of Pakistan
Begum Ara, Jamshed Iqbal, Asif Aziz
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
 
4.
Pollen analysis of summer honeys from Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh, India
Vibhasa Shukla, Kottapalli Rao
Acta Palaeobotanica
 
5.
Comparative study of labelled bee honey from Poland and the result of the melissopalynological analysis
Anna Puścion-Jakubik, Katarzyna Socha, Maria Borawska
Journal of Apicultural Research
 
6.
Melissopalynological and physicochemical analysis of honey samples from Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh
Vibhasa Shukla, Ajay Kumar
Acta Palaeobotanica
 
7.
Pollen analysis of Australian honey
J. Sniderman, Kia Matley, Simon Haberle, David Cantrill, Siew Gan
PLOS ONE
 
8.
Perceptions of the local beekeepers on the diversity and flowering phenology of the melliferous flora in the community of Xmabén, Hopelchén, Campeche, Mexico
Milca Coh-Martínez, William Cetzal-Ix, Jesús Martínez-Puc, Saikat Basu, Eliana Noguera-Savelli, Manuel Cuevas
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
 
9.
Palynological Diversity of Melliferous flora around Apiaries from District Mardan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan
Nabila, Mushtaq Ahmad, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Zafar, Shazia Sultana, Salman Majeed, Ghulam Yaseen, Shabir Ahmad
The Botanical Review
 
10.
The melissopalynological investigation in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, India
D. Shishira, A. Uthappa, Veeresh Kumar, Shringeshwara, G. Kuberappa
 
11.
Pollen diversity of honey from northern and southern Prayagraj district Uttar Pradesh, India
Vibhasa Shukla, Kottapalli Rao, Deepika Tripathi
Grana
 
12.
Pollen morphology of selected melliferous plants and its taxonomic implications using microscopy
Rafia Attique, Muhammad Zafar, Mushtaq Ahmad, Sadia Zafar, Muhammad Ghufran, Muhammad Mustafa, Ghulam Yaseen, Latif Ahmad, Shazia Sultana, Nabila, Aqeela Zafar, Salman Majeed
Microscopy Research and Technique
 
13.
An Economic Analysis of Stationary Beekeeping in the Northern States of India
Aniketa Horo, J. M. Singh
Indian Journal of Entomology
 
14.
Palyno–morphological and isotopic characterization of monofloral and multifloral honeys from Lucknow, India
Sumaiyah Farooqui, Md Firoze Quamar, Anjum Farooqui, Rajesh Agnihotri, Salman Khan
Journal of Palaeosciences
 
eISSN:2082-0259
ISSN:0001-6594
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top