Nectar Characteristics and Honey Production Potential of Five Rapeseed Cultivars and Two Wildflower Species in South Korea

Abstract

The growing beekeeping industry in South Korea has led to the establishment of new honey plant complexes. However, studies on honey production from each species are limited. This study aimed to assess the honey production potential of various <i>Brassica napus</i> cultivars and two wildflower species. The nectar characteristics of <i>B. napus</i> varied significantly among the cultivars. Absolute sugar concentrations differed among the cultivars, but sugar composition ratios were similar. In contrast, the amino acid content remained relatively uniform regarding percentage values, irrespective of the absolute concentrations. Estimations of honey potential production per hectare (kg/ha) resulted in the following ranking among cultivars: 'JM7003' (107.1) > 'YS' (73.0) > 'JM7001' (63.7) > 'TL' (52.7) > 'TM' (42.4). The nectar volume of <i>Pseudolysimachion rotundum</i> var. <i>subintegrum</i> and <i>Leonurus japonicus</i> increased during the flowering stage. <i>P. rotundum</i> var. <i>subintegrum</i> was sucrose-rich and <i>L. japonicus</i> was sucrose-dominant. Both species predominantly contained phenylalanine, <i>P. rotundum</i> var. <i>subintegrum</i> had glutamine as the second most abundant amino acid, and <i>L. japonicus</i> had tyrosine. The honey production potential was 152.4 kg/ha for <i>P. rotundum</i> var. <i>subintegrum</i> and 151.3 kg/ha for <i>L. japonicus</i>. These findings provide a basis for identifying food resources for pollinators and selecting plant species to establish honey plant complexes.