Melliferous flora and pollen characterization of honey from Požega area

Abstract

Melissopalynological analysis of honey samples from Požega valley was used to determine the botanical origin of honey. The analysis showed the presence of 34 different pollen types, derived from plant taxa belonging to 18 families. The most represented plant families were Asteraceae (6 taxa), Fabaceae (5 taxa), Rosaceae (4 taxa) and Fagaceae (3 taxa), while the pollen types that appeared in most samples derived from Brassica spp., Robinia pseudoacacia, Prunus spp. and Populus spp. According to pollen spectra, two monofloral brassica honeys, as well as one chestnut and black locust honey, were determined, while other samples were considered as polyfloral. Three polyfloral honeys had a large portion of Brassica spp. pollen, while two had a high amount of Amorpha fruticosa pollen. Flowering period of melliferous plants in Požega valley suggests that the main foraging period for bees is during April, May and June.