PALYNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF POLLEN LOADS FROM POLLEN SOURCES OF HONEYBEES IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Palynological studies of pollen loads were carried out to determine the pollen sources for honeybees in Islamabad during January to December 2006. Three different sources for honeybees were identified as Major, Medium and Minor. A total of 40 plant species served as pollen sources for honeybees from amongst the fruit trees, ornamental and agricultural crop and weeds. Major pollen yielding plants viz., Brassica campestris L., Callistemon citrinus (Curt.) Stapf., Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbek, Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindlay, Parthenium hysterophorus L., Chenopodium album L., Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, Ageratum conyzoides L., Bauhinia variegata L., Bischofia javonica Blume., Bombax ceiba Burm., Cassia fistula L., Convolvulus arvensis L., Coriandrum sativum L., Cucumis melo-agrostis L., Delbergia sisso Roxb., Delphinium ajacis L., Euphorbia helioscopia L., Eucalyptus cammoldulensis Dehnh., Grewia asiatica L., Hamelia patens Jacq., Helianthus annus L., Iberis amara L., Jacranda mimosifolia Juss., Justicia adhatoda Linn, Lagerstromia indica L., Litchi chinensis Mill., Melilotus indica (L.) All., Nastertium officinale R. Br., Prunus armeniaca L., P. persica Benth., and Hook., P. bokhariensis Royle., Pongammia pinnata (L.) Pierre., Raphanus sativa L., Rosa sp., Rumex dentatis L., Silibum merianum L., Sonchus asper Hill., Trifolium alexandrium L., Verbena tunisecta L., were identified. Although the foraged plants are available throughout the year in the locality but January to April and July to August are major, whereas April and May are minor flow period of pollen while June is the dearth period. This study gives the general idea of range of plant species that occur in the area and their utility to the honeybees which is important for them so that they can make efficient use of these resources.