Study of pollen composition in winter honeys from agricultural landscapes of Goregaon Tahsil, Gondia District, Maharashtra

This study analyzes the pollen composition of Apis dorsata honey using melissopalynology techniques to determine the botanical and geographical origins, as well as the purity and quality of honey. Five honey samples were collected from Goregaon Tahsil, Gondia District, revealing 24 pollen types. Four samples were unifloral, primarily consisting of Lathyrus sativus and Cajanus cajan, while one was multifloral, with Alternanthera sessilis, Prosopis juliflora, and Cajanus cajan as secondary contributors. The most frequently identified pollen types included Cajanus cajan, Lathyrus sativus, Alternanthera sessilis, Lagascea mollis, Sphaeranthus indicus, Citrus sp., Prosopis juliflora, Blumea sp., Tinospora cordifolia, Hyptis suaveolens, and Capsicum annuum. Pollen grains from entomophilous species accounted for 62.50%, followed by amphiphilous (25.00%) and anemophilous (12.50%) species. The study highlights the importance of Lathyrus sativus, Alternanthera sessilis, Cajanus cajan, and Capsicum annuum as key floral resources for honey bees in the region.