Nectar of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd (Rhamnaceae): Dynamics of Secretion and Potential for Honey Production

Abstract

The nectar secretion of Ziziphus flowers was studied by removing and measuring the nectar every four hours, for two consecutive days, from 88 flowers of four trees (‘repeated sampling’). In another 120 flowers from the same trees, the accumulated sugar was measured at the end of the flowering stage. The mass of the nectar sugar was determined following the washing technique. The total amount of sugar per tree was calculated by multiplying the number of flowers per tree by the average mass of nectar sugar secreted per flower. The average mass of sugar produced per flower in repeated sampling was 0.79±0.54 mg/flower (range 0.09 - 2.48 mg). The average mass of sugar per flower for each of the four investigated trees was 1.43±0.53 mg, 0.72±0.27 mg, 0.94±0.39 mg and 0.37±0.26 mg, respectively. The differences among trees was statistically significant. For accumulated nectar, the overall average mass of sugar per flower was 0.55±0.23 mg (range 0.06 - 1.29 mg) and the average values for flowers on the investigated trees of Z. spina-christi were 0.69±0.26 mg, 0.41±0.16 mg, 0.51±0.16 mg and 0.53±0.21 mg; these variations were statistically significant. The average mass of nectar sugar calculated for the flowers with accumulated nectar sampling was significantly lower than the average mass of sugar recorded for repeated nectar sugar samplings (0.79±0.54 mg). According to this study, one Ziziphus tree is estimated to produce 3.6 kg of honey (range 2.2 - 5.2 kg), equivalent to about 900 kg of honey/ha (range 550 - 1300 kg). These figures indicate the high potential value of the plant for honey production. Nectar secretion was positively correlated with temperature, indicating the adaptation of the tree to hot climates.

Influence of altitudinal variation on the total phenolic and flavonoid content of Acacia and Ziziphus honey

“…It is a massive flowering plant and is commonly found at altitudes ranging from 0 to 2000 m a.s.l. [31] Similar findings for Ziziphus honey pollen types have been previously reported by Al-Khalifa and Al-Arify. [32] They reported that the floral source of Asir Ziziphus honey is Z. spina-christi.…”

Floral Phenology, Nectar Secretion Dynamics, and Honey Production Potential, of Two Lavender Species (Lavandula Dentata, and L. Pubescens ) in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

“…The positive correlations between the amount of nectar and the air temperature of the area might indicate the adaptation of these species to warm climatic conditions. Similarly, positive correlations between ambient temperature and the Brought to you by | MIT Libraries Authenticated Download Date | 5/12/18 3:09 AM nectar secretion amount, have been recorded for numerous nectar-secreting species e.g., Trifolium repens, (Jakobsen and Kristjansson, 1994), Thymus capitatus, (Petanidou and Smets, 1996), and Ziziphus spina-christi, (Nuru et al, 2012).…”

“…Recently, Kim et al (2011) quantified the amount of nectar secreted per flower and per tree for Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge. The amount and dynamics of nectar secretion have been used, as well, to estimate the honey production potential of Ziziphus spina-christi (Nuru et al, 2012). In this general context, the aim of the current study was to determine the floral phenology, nectar secretion dynamics, and honey production potentials of the two, major, naturally growing Lavandula species (L. dentata, and L. pubescens) which are used as important sources of honey in regions of southwestern Saudi Arabia.…”

Differential Effects of Climate Warming on the Nectar Secretion of Early- and Late-Flowering Mediterranean Plants

“…Temperatures in the Mediterranean are expected to rise in the future more rapidly in summer than in any other season (Giorgi and Lionello, 2008 ; IPCC, 2013 ) and can surpass the optimal temperatures for nectar and sugar production. Mediterranean plants are generally well adapted to high temperatures and summer drought (Gratani and Varone, 2004 ; Petanidou, 2007 ; Miranda et al, 2011 ; Nuru et al, 2012 ). However, late-flowering species are already close to or beyond the optimal temperatures for photosynthesis (Larcher, 2000 ; Bussotti et al, 2014 ; Flexas et al, 2014 ), which determines the resources available for flower and nectar production (Southwick, 1984 ; Burquez and Corbet, 1998 ; Pacini et al, 2003 ).…”