Major Pollen Sources in Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt, and the Effect of Pollen Supply on Brood Area and Honey Yield

Abstract

SummaryThe major pollen sources in the Kafr El-Sheikh region of Egypt are broad bean (Vicia faba L.), wild mustard (Brassica kaber Koch) yellow sweet clover (Melilotus siculus Turra), Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). The most abundant source was found to be maize (42·0%) followed by Egyptian clover (40·4%), wild mustard (7·6%), yellow sweet clover (4·0%) and broad bean (0·9%). The contribution of other unidentified minor sources was estimated as 5·1%. Both pollen resources and brood area were observed to fluctuate throughout the year. In hives of honeybees (Apis mellifera) fitted with pollen traps stored pollen was reduced by 38·0%, brood area by 2·41% and weight of stored clover honey by 28·8%.