Tropicultura (Jan 2008)
Caractéristiques polliniques des plantes mellifères de la zone soudano-guinéenne d'altitude de l'ouest Cameroun
Abstract
Pollen Characteristics of Melliferous Plants of the Soudano Guinean Western Highlands of Cameroon. Between November 2000 and 2001, an inventory and pollen characteristics study of major melliferous plants of the Menoua Division in the Western highlands of Cameroon (Latitude North 5° 21.45N- 5°35.44'N and Longitude east 10°04.72- 10°26.24) were carried out. A total of 78 melliferous plants belonging to 33 families were identified. In terms of number of plants, the most-represented species were Asteraceae (12.9%); Solanaceae (8.6%); Euphorbiaceae (7.6%); Myrtaceae and Malvaceae (6.4%) respectively in decreasing order. As concerns pollen characteristics inter and intra families variations were recorded. The smallest pollen size (15.7 ± 1.6 μ) was found with Leucaena leucocephala while Calliandra callothyrsus had the highest (190.9 ± 7.1 μ). Subcircular pollen form was predominant (Asteraceae 39.2% of the 78 melliferous plants) followed respectively by spheric (20.3%; Convovulaceae), elliptic (12.2%; Dacryodes edulis, cordia sp.), and triangular (10.8%; Myrtaceae). Melliferous plants with aperturated exine pollen (Ageratum conyzoides, Psidium guayava) were predominant (71.7%) compared to those without aperturated exine pollen (Manihot esculenta, Croton macrostachyus; 28.2%). Pollen ornamentation also showed a trend of variation between species. Smooth pollen plants (Arachis hypogaea, Psidium guajava) were more numerous (46.1%), followed respectively by spined (25.6%; Asteracea, Malvaceae) and scabrous pollen species (Casuarina equisetifolia, Musa paradisiaca).
