Ecological and Economic Potential of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Mangifera indica Trees for Sustainable Apiculture in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savannah Ecozone, Nigeria.

Abstract

Apiculture which is the act of rearing, breeding and managing honeybee colonies in artificial hives for economic gains which leads to the production of valuable materials such as honey, bee wax, propolis, bee pollen, bee venom and royal jelly Interest in bees started with the hunting of wild colonies in hollow cavities of trees or rocks. The ecological and economic potential of E. camaldulensis and M. indica trees for sustainable apiculture in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savannah Ecozone, Nigeria was studied. 10 Kenya top bar hive were randomly placed in each of the plantation with 95% dominance of each species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Mangifera indica). Honey and pollen produced from each plantation were collected at intervals, for a period of 72 weeks which were quantified and analyzed. Highest quantity of honey was recorded in E. camaldulensis plantation in both dry and wet season with 90.60 litres and 70.40 litres of honey respectively. While in M. indica plantation 70.40 litres and 40.23 litres of honey were recorded in dry and wet season respectively. A total of 6.80kg and 4.00kg of pollens were collected in the 2 plots in both dry and wet season. The quantity of honey and pollens collected in each plot was significantly different at (P<0005) in both seasons. The major species of bee found in the study area is Apis mellifera. However, the 2 trees species selected shows a positive sustainable role in honey and pollen production in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savannah. Measures to sustainable improve honey and pollen production in the ecozone were highlighted.