Pollen characterisation of honey samples from North Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study presents pollen contents of 20 honey samples collected from the North Central Zone of Nigeria. According to qualitative analysis, thirteen honey samples were unifloral and seven were multifloral. Dominant pollen types were Parinari kerstigii, Lannea sp., Syzigium sp., Poaceae, Elaeis guineensis, Entanda abyssinica and Butyrospermum paradoxum. Thirty-six pollen types were identified from the honey samples. The pollen spectra of the samples were indicated various plant species, visiting by honey bees in the area which reflect the vegetation type in North Central Nigeria. Other important taxa as sources of nectar by honey bees were also identified and listed. The numerous pollen types and their diversity showed that bees travel considerable distance collecting nectar and pollen for honey production. © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information.