Abstract:
The study was conducted in north eastern dryland areas of the Amhara region from August 2020 up to June 2021 to assess the distribution of selected bee forage plants and the density of honeybee colonies along with potential areas; to investigate the nectar secretion dynamics of major bee plant species of the target area; to determine optimum colony carrying capacity based on nectar secreationpotential and distribution of bee forage plants. A questionnaire survey, quadrant method, and nectar measurements were used for the study. In the questionnaire survey, 152 beekeepers (140 male and 12 female) were interviewed, 85 quadrants were laid in plant count. Based on their abundancy, five bee flora species (Acaciaetbaica, Acacia tortolis, Acaciaasak, Beciumgrandiflorum, and Cordiaafricana) were considered in nectar estimation and henebee colony’s carrying capacity determination. Regarding the beekeeping situation, it is characterized as a traditional beekeeping (87.4%).On average beekeepers kept 7.0±0.8 traditional, 0.2±0.6 transitional and, 1.0±0.2 movable frame hives. Coming on the bee flora part, 47%, 42%, and 11% of the existed bee floras were shrubs, trees, and herbs respectively. A. etbaica, A. tortolis, A. asak, B. grandiflorum, and C. africana were found the dominant bee flora species with their nectar sugar production potential of 2.6±1.4gm, 5.3±4.6gm, 10.2±6.4gm, 3.7±2.1gm, and 5.7±3.2gm/ flower.About 1457.6 traditional hives, 1020.3 transitional hives, and 680.2 modern hives in the highland and about 1310.4 traditional hives, 873.6 transitional hives, and 728.0 modern hives in the midland. In the low land, 1760.6 traditional hives,1408.4 transitional hives, and 845.1 modern hives were estimated to be introduced in 400 hectare of land for optimum honey production during the main honey harvesting season of the area
Key word: Beeflora; carrying capacity; honey yield; honeybee colonies; nectar sugar;nectar volume