Nectar and pollen sources for honeybees in Kafrelsheikh province of northern Egypt

Abstract

This study was conducted at the apiary of the Beekeeping Research Section at the Sakha Agricultural Research Station, ARC, Kafrelsheikh, and other apiaries in Kafrelsheikh province, during two successive years 2015 and 2016. The study aimed to survey nectar and pollen floral resources in Kafrelsheikh province. Ninty seven plant species belonging to 33 families were recorded as nectar sources, and 82 plant species belonging to 36 families were recorded as pollen sources during the whole year. The largest amount of monthly trapped pollen was obtained during May followed by August. It can be concluded that, beekeepers in Kafrelsheikh province can harvest good honey yield at the end of blooming seasons of citrus ( Citrus spp.) during March and April, Egyptian clover ( Trifolium alexandrinum L.) during May and June, loofah ( Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.) during June to October, cotton ( Gossypium spp.) during July and August, and banana ( Musa spp.) during August and September. They also, could be trapping pollen loads collected from faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) and flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) during January to March, date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) during March and April, Egyptian clover during May and June, summer seed watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus var. colothynthoides L.) during June and July, loofah and maize ( Zea mays L.) during June to November.

Situation of Beekeeping in North Africa

“…In Egypt, the main honey yields are from citrus, Egyptian clover, luffa, cotton and, banana. Pollen also is collected from many plants like faba bean, flax date palm, luffa and maize (Taha, Taha, & Al-Kahtani, 2019).…”

Effect of the Honeybee Hybrid and Geographic Region on the Honey Bee Venom Production

“…Such colonies use up a major part of nectar and pollen collected directly after the dearth for buildup of colony population. Taha et al (2017) found that Kafr El-Sheikh province is very rich in floral resources nectar and pollen, ninety seven plant species belonging to 33 families were recorded as nectar sources, and 82 plant species belonging to 36 families were recorded as pollen sources during the whole year. The largest amount of monthly trapped pollen was obtained during May followed by August.…”

Sesame Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae): Foraging Behavior of Honeybees Apis mellifera L. and Physicochemical Properties of Honey

“…Currently, China, India, and Burma are the world's largest producers of sesame, followed by Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Thailand, Turkey and Mexico (Desai, 2004). In Egypt, sesame is grown in summer season (Taha et al, 2018a). Sesame flower produces nectar in a nectary disk surrounding the ovary and in a couple of extra floral nectaries on both sides of the pedicel (Free, 1993).…”

“…The main honeys in Egypt are Egyptian clover, citrus, and cotton (Taha, 2000;Taha, 2005;Taha et al, 2018a). Besides, two secondary honeys: loofah (Taha et al, 2006), and banana (Taha, 2007) were reported in Kafrelsheikh p rovince.…”

“…Besides, two secondary honeys: loofah (Taha et al, 2006), and banana (Taha, 2007) were reported in Kafrelsheikh p rovince. Sesame p lants bloom in July and August (Taha et al, 2018a). Honeybees visit sesame flowers to collect nectar and pollen (Danaka et al, 1990;Taha et al, 2018a).…”