Variation in Flowering Behaviour and Honey Bee Visitation on Eucalyptus Clones
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2021.6Abstract
With the adoption of clonal forestry by the farmers on large tracts in north-western India, the reports of negligible flowering in Eucalyptus clonal plantations need to be analysed. This study reports the results from the experimental trial involving 14 clones replicated thrice in randomized block design with plot size of 5 trees. Floral buds appeared from June and continued up to July. Profuse flowering was recorded only on three clones i.e., PE-7, PE-8 and PE-9. On the other hand, no floral buds could be seen on C-72, C-413, PE-12 and PE-14. All the four honey bee species i.e., Apis mellifera L. (Italian honey bee), A. dorsata F. (rock bee), A. cerana indica F. (Indian honey bee) and A. florea (little bee) visited the flowers. The frequency of their visit was maximum (7.3/ 2 min) during the afternoon (1 pm) and the lowest (4.9) in the evening. The maximum honey bee visitation was observed on clone PE-9.
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