Philippine E-Journals

Floral Phenology of Bee Pasture Plants in Northwestern Cagayan (Phase 1)

Shella B. Cacatian | Froilan Pacris Jr. | Lina M. Garan

 

Abstract:

Sufficient knowledge of floral phenology is the prerequisite to start beekeeping. In August 2010 to July 2011, the researchers conducted a study in Northwestern Cagayan to determine the existing bee flora and develop a floral calendar in relation to pollen and nectar availability in the area. The study used descriptive research utilizing quadrant method to obtain the data for this study. Analysis of data included frequency count. Based on ocular observations and survey, 55 plant species were highly abundant sources for honey and pollen. These species were identified as tree, palm, herb, and weeds. The study ascertains sixteen flowering plants as extremely important as those blossoms continually. The honey flow period is on March to May with the most number of blooming plants like Artocarpus ovatus, Premna odorata, Antidesma bunius, Dipterocarp spp., Gliricidia sepium, Coffea sp., Diospyros philippinensis, Pterocarpus spp., Vitex parviflora, Melanolepis multiglandolosa and Ficus variegata. The dearth period is July to September as Semaena saman, Terminalia microcarpa, and Portulacea oleracea only bloom during these months. Northwestern Cagayan is suitable to initiate bee farming. However, climatic factors restrict the phenological period of most species. Plant attributes and taxonomic membership strongly relate to flowering phenodynamics in the different floras studied.