Genetic Diversity of Honey Producing Plants under Changing Climate in Southern Nigeria: Need for Conservation to Improve Food Security and Livelihood Option

Abstract: 
This study was conducted at Southern Nigeria from 2010 to 2011 periods of honey producing seasons. Five honey samples from three states in Southern Nigeria were evaluated palynologically after acetolysis to determine their pollen spectrum. Results showed 56 honey plants belonging to 32 families with Anacardiaceae contributing (22.08%), Caesalpiniaceae (31.16%), Euphorbiaceae (26.02%) while Papilionaceae contributed (20.74%). Predominant honey plants were Anacardium occidentale L, Ageratum conyzoides L, Danialla oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch & Dalz., Alchornea cordifolia Muell, Arg, Trichilia spp. and Elaeis guineensis Jacq. Apart from A. occidentalis and E. guineensis which are cultivated others are foraged from the wild. Policy makers and indeed beekeepers should embark on extensive propagation, afforestation, and conservation of these predominant honey plants to improve food security and reduce hidden hunger.
Cette étude a été menée dans le sud du Nigeria de 2010 à 2011 lors des saisons de production du miel. Cinq échantillons de miel provenant de trois Etats du sud du Nigeria ont été évalués palynologiquement après acétolyse afin de déterminer leur spectre pollinique. Les résultats ont montré 56 plantes mellifères appartenant à 32 familles avec les Anacardiaceae contributifs (22,08%), les Caesalpiniaceae (31,16%), les Euphorbiaceae (26,02%), tandis que les Papilionaceae contribués (20,74%). Les plantes mellifères prédominantes étaient Anacardium occidentale L, Ageratum conyzoidesL, Danialla oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch & Dalz., Alchornea cordifolia Muell, Arg, Trichilia spp. et Elaeis guineensisJacq. En dehors d’A. occidentalis et E. guineensis qui sont cultivées, d’autres sont recherchées dans la nature. Les décideurs politiques et même les apiculteurs doivent se lancer dans une vaste propagation, le reboisement et la conservation de ces plantes mellifères prédominantes pour améliorer la sécurité alimentaire et réduire la faim cachée.
Language: 
English
Extended Abstract for Crop Improvement
Date of publication: 
2012
Country: 
Region Focus: 
West Africa
Author/Editor(s): 
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Publisher: 
Notes: 

The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants.  This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Crop Improvement.