**3. Palynological results**

The qualitative and quantitative analyses of 17 squeezed honey samples procured from different blocks of Paderu forest division in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh were conducted. The pollen results provide new insights into the pollen composition of these honey samples. A total of 69 pollen morphotypes (**Figures 3**–**5**) in 35 families were identified, including 65 entomophilous pollen

#### **Figure 3.**

*(1) Acacia chundra, (2) Ageratum conyzoides, (3) Albizia lebbeck, (4) Amaranthus spinosus, (5) Andrographis echioides, (6) Blumea oxyodonta, (7) Bombax ceiba, (8) Borassus flabellifer, (9) Brassica nigra, (10) Caesalpinia bonduc, (11) Cajanus cajan, (12) Cardiospermum halicacabum, (13) Careya arborea, (14) Carum copticum, (15) Cassia occidentalis, (16) Casuarina equisetifolia, (17) Celosia argentea, (18) Centipeda minima, (19) Citrullus lanatus, (20) Clerodendrum inerme, (21) Cocos nucifera, (22) Commelina suffruticosa, (23) Conyza stricta, and (24) Coriandrum sativum. Scale bar: 10 μm.*

types (i.e., *Acacia chundra*, *Ageratum conyzoides*, *Albizia lebbeck*, *Andrographis echioides*, *Blumea oxyodonta*, *Bombax ceiba*, *Borassus flabellifer*, *Brassica nigra*, *Caesalpinia bonduc*, *Cajanus cajan*, *Cardiospermum halicacabum*, *Careya arborea*, *Carum copticum*, *Cassia occidentalis*, *Casuarina equisetifolia*, *Centipeda minima*,

*pudica, (23) Ocimum basilicum, and (24) Ocimum sanctum. Scale bar: 10 μm.*

*(1) Crotalaria juncea, (2) Cucumis sativus, (3) Cyathocline purpurea, (4) Cyperus rotundus, (5) Datura stramonium, (6) Delonix regia, (7) Dendrophthoe falcata, (8) Dillenia pentagyna, (9) Erythrina variegata, (10) Eucalyptus globulus, (11) Gardenia lucida, (12) Hakea laurina, (13) Hygrophila auriculata, (14) Hyptis suaveolens, (15) Lagerstroemia parviflora, (16) Lannea coromandelica, (17) Lantana camara, (18) Leucaena leucocephala, (19) Leucas aspera, (20) Madhuca indica, (21) Manilkara zapota, (22) Mimosa*

*Melissopalynological Analysis of Honeys from Paderu Forest Division of Visakhapatnam…*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88908*

**Figure 4.**

**57**

*Melissopalynological Analysis of Honeys from Paderu Forest Division of Visakhapatnam… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88908*

#### **Figure 4.**

**3. Palynological results**

*Modern Beekeeping - Bases for Sustainable Production*

**Figure 3.**

**56**

The qualitative and quantitative analyses of 17 squeezed honey samples procured from different blocks of Paderu forest division in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh were conducted. The pollen results provide new insights into the pollen composition of these honey samples. A total of 69 pollen morphotypes (**Figures 3**–**5**) in 35 families were identified, including 65 entomophilous pollen

*(1) Acacia chundra, (2) Ageratum conyzoides, (3) Albizia lebbeck, (4) Amaranthus spinosus, (5)*

*(23) Conyza stricta, and (24) Coriandrum sativum. Scale bar: 10 μm.*

*Andrographis echioides, (6) Blumea oxyodonta, (7) Bombax ceiba, (8) Borassus flabellifer, (9) Brassica nigra, (10) Caesalpinia bonduc, (11) Cajanus cajan, (12) Cardiospermum halicacabum, (13) Careya arborea, (14) Carum copticum, (15) Cassia occidentalis, (16) Casuarina equisetifolia, (17) Celosia argentea, (18) Centipeda minima, (19) Citrullus lanatus, (20) Clerodendrum inerme, (21) Cocos nucifera, (22) Commelina suffruticosa,* *(1) Crotalaria juncea, (2) Cucumis sativus, (3) Cyathocline purpurea, (4) Cyperus rotundus, (5) Datura stramonium, (6) Delonix regia, (7) Dendrophthoe falcata, (8) Dillenia pentagyna, (9) Erythrina variegata, (10) Eucalyptus globulus, (11) Gardenia lucida, (12) Hakea laurina, (13) Hygrophila auriculata, (14) Hyptis suaveolens, (15) Lagerstroemia parviflora, (16) Lannea coromandelica, (17) Lantana camara, (18) Leucaena leucocephala, (19) Leucas aspera, (20) Madhuca indica, (21) Manilkara zapota, (22) Mimosa pudica, (23) Ocimum basilicum, and (24) Ocimum sanctum. Scale bar: 10 μm.*

types (i.e., *Acacia chundra*, *Ageratum conyzoides*, *Albizia lebbeck*, *Andrographis echioides*, *Blumea oxyodonta*, *Bombax ceiba*, *Borassus flabellifer*, *Brassica nigra*, *Caesalpinia bonduc*, *Cajanus cajan*, *Cardiospermum halicacabum*, *Careya arborea*, *Carum copticum*, *Cassia occidentalis*, *Casuarina equisetifolia*, *Centipeda minima*,

*Parkinsonia aculeata*, *Pedalium murex*, *Peltophorum pterocarpum*, *Phyllanthus emblica*, *Polygonum barbatum*, *Psidium guajava*, *Sapindus emarginatus*, *Schleichera oleosa*, *Sida acuta*, *S. cordata*, *Solanum nigrum*, *Spilanthes calva*, *Syzygium cumini*, *Terminalia arjuna*,*Tribulus terrestris*,*Tridax procumbens*, Urticaceae type, *Vernonia cinerea*, *Vicoa indica*, *Xanthium strumarium*) and 4 anemophilous pollen types (i.e.,

*Melissopalynological Analysis of Honeys from Paderu Forest Division of Visakhapatnam…*

*Amaranthus spinosus*, *Celosia argentea*, *Cyperus rotundus*, and *Saccharum*

provenance of the samples.

*nigra* (3.81%), and *Vernonia cinerea* (3.65%).

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88908*

are recorded as important minor pollen types.

*indica* (5.86%) as important minor pollen types.

*falcata* (4.98%).

**59**

(3.17%) as important minor pollen taxa.

as important minor pollen taxa.

*officinarum*). Pollen analysis data of each sample is discussed below according to

G.Madugula (V-P-GM-Bp-AF-3, spring collection): the sample proved to be multifloral with secondary pollen taxa including *Carum copticum* (21.74%), followed by important minor pollen types, Urticaceae type (15.02%), *Eucalyptus globulus* (13.22%), *Syzygium cumini* (12.78%), *Psidium guajava* (9.40%),*Tridax procumbens* (6.05%), *Blumea oxyodonta* (4.70%), *Bombax ceiba* (4.03%), *Brassica*

Dumbriguda (V-P-DG-Vb-AF-9, spring collection): the sample procured is productive and proved to be multifloral with secondary pollen taxa *Mimosa pudica* (28.62%). *Crotalaria juncea* (13.01%),*Tridax procumbens* (8.57%), *Psidium guajava* (8.55%), *Andrographis echioides* (8.17%),*Terminalia arjuna* (7.94%), *Schleichera oleosa* (7.06%), *Commelina suffruticosa* (5.57%), and *Ageratum conyzoides* (5.20%)

Paderu (V-P-P-Sa-AF-10, spring collection): the sample proved as unifloral with

Peddabayalu (V-P-PB-PB-AF-11, autumn collection): the sample procured is multifloral with pollen of *Coriandrum sativum* (15.90%), *Mimosa pudica* (15.19%), *Syzygium cumini* (12.36%), *Ageratum conyzoides* (11.30%), *Ocimum sanctum* (6.00%), *Schleichera oleosa* (5.30%), *Eucalyptus globulus* (4.94%), *Polygonum barbatum* (3.53%), *Blumea oxyodonta* (3.53%), and *Casuarina equisetifolia* (3.18%)

Ananthagiri (V-P-AG-Ch-AF-13, autumn collection): the sample procured is productive and proved as unifloral as evidenced by the predominant pollen taxon *Schleichera oleosa* (55.00%), followed by the recovery of *Mimosa pudica* (13.07%), *Eucalyptus globulus* (8.65%), *Phyllanthus emblica* (6.92%), *Dendrophthoe falcata*

Munchingiputtu (V-P-MUN-L-AF-14, autumn collection): the sample proved as multifloral with pollen of *Eucalyptus globulus* (13.46%),*Tridax procumbens* (8.77%),

Araku Valley (V-P-AR-Me-AF-37, spring collection): the sample procured is productive and proved to be unifloral with predominant pollen taxon *Psidium guajava* (55.03%), followed by secondary pollen taxon *Mimosa pudica* (24.59%),*Terminalia arjuna* (10.53%), and *Delonix regia* (5.85%) pollen as important minor pollen types. Paderu (V-P-P-Sp-AF-40, spring collection): the sample procured is productive like the AF-34 samples which is unifloral with predominant pollen taxon, *Ageratum conyzoides* (92.83%) followed by important minor pollen taxon, *Dendrophthoe*

(3.07%), and *Leucas aspera* (3.69%) as important minor pollen types.

*Centipeda minima* (8.32%), *Ageratum conyzoides* (7.41%),*Terminalia arjuna* (6.80%), *Psidium guajava* (6.80%), *Crotalaria juncea* (6.95%), *Syzygium cumini* (6.95%), *Commelina suffruticosa* (6.95%), *Sapindus emarginatus* (4.84%), *Erythrina variegata* (3.02%), and *Leucas aspera* (3.78%) as important minor pollen types. Ananthagiri (V-P-AG-Gb-AF-34, spring collection): the sample procured is unifloral as palynologically evidenced by a single predominant pollen taxon, *Ageratum conyzoides* (81.03%), followed by *Phyllanthus emblica* (12.06%) and *Madhuca*

one predominant pollen taxon, *Ageratum conyzoides* (68.25%), followed by *Schleichera oleosa* (7.93%), *Parkinsonia aculeata* (6.03%), and *Citrullus lanatus*

#### **Figure 5.**

*(1) Parkinsonia aculeata, (2) Pedalium murex, (3) Peltophorum pterocarpum, (4) Phyllanthus emblica, (5) Polygonum barbatum, (6) Psidium guajava, (7) Saccharum officinarum, (8) Sapindus emarginatus, (9) Schleichera oleosa, (10) Sida acuta, (11) S. cordata, (12) Solanum nigrum, (13) Spilanthes calva, (14) Syzygium cumini, (15) Terminalia arjuna, (16) Tribulus terrestris, (17) Tridax procumbens, (18) Urticaceae type, (19) Vernonia cinerea, (20) Vicoa indica, and (21) Xanthium strumarium. Scale bar: 10 μm.*

*Citrullus lanatus*, *Clerodendrum inerme*, *Cocos nucifera*, *Commelina suffruticosa*, *Conyza stricta*, *Coriandrum sativum*, *Crotalaria juncea*, *Cucumis sativus*, *Cyathocline purpurea*, *Datura stramonium*, *Delonix regia*, *Dendrophthoe falcata*, *Dillenia pentagyna*, *Erythrina variegata*, *Eucalyptus globulus*, *Gardenia lucida*, *Hakea laurina*, *Hygrophila auriculata*, *Hyptis suaveolens*, *Lagerstroemia parviflora*, *Lannea coromandelica*, *Lantana camara*, *Leucaena leucocephala*, *Leucas aspera*, *Madhuca indica*, *Manilkara zapota*, *Mimosa pudica*, *Ocimum basilicum*, *O. sanctum*,

*Melissopalynological Analysis of Honeys from Paderu Forest Division of Visakhapatnam… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88908*

*Parkinsonia aculeata*, *Pedalium murex*, *Peltophorum pterocarpum*, *Phyllanthus emblica*, *Polygonum barbatum*, *Psidium guajava*, *Sapindus emarginatus*, *Schleichera oleosa*, *Sida acuta*, *S. cordata*, *Solanum nigrum*, *Spilanthes calva*, *Syzygium cumini*, *Terminalia arjuna*,*Tribulus terrestris*,*Tridax procumbens*, Urticaceae type, *Vernonia cinerea*, *Vicoa indica*, *Xanthium strumarium*) and 4 anemophilous pollen types (i.e., *Amaranthus spinosus*, *Celosia argentea*, *Cyperus rotundus*, and *Saccharum officinarum*). Pollen analysis data of each sample is discussed below according to provenance of the samples.

G.Madugula (V-P-GM-Bp-AF-3, spring collection): the sample proved to be multifloral with secondary pollen taxa including *Carum copticum* (21.74%), followed by important minor pollen types, Urticaceae type (15.02%), *Eucalyptus globulus* (13.22%), *Syzygium cumini* (12.78%), *Psidium guajava* (9.40%),*Tridax procumbens* (6.05%), *Blumea oxyodonta* (4.70%), *Bombax ceiba* (4.03%), *Brassica nigra* (3.81%), and *Vernonia cinerea* (3.65%).

Dumbriguda (V-P-DG-Vb-AF-9, spring collection): the sample procured is productive and proved to be multifloral with secondary pollen taxa *Mimosa pudica* (28.62%). *Crotalaria juncea* (13.01%),*Tridax procumbens* (8.57%), *Psidium guajava* (8.55%), *Andrographis echioides* (8.17%),*Terminalia arjuna* (7.94%), *Schleichera oleosa* (7.06%), *Commelina suffruticosa* (5.57%), and *Ageratum conyzoides* (5.20%) are recorded as important minor pollen types.

Paderu (V-P-P-Sa-AF-10, spring collection): the sample proved as unifloral with one predominant pollen taxon, *Ageratum conyzoides* (68.25%), followed by *Schleichera oleosa* (7.93%), *Parkinsonia aculeata* (6.03%), and *Citrullus lanatus* (3.17%) as important minor pollen taxa.

Peddabayalu (V-P-PB-PB-AF-11, autumn collection): the sample procured is multifloral with pollen of *Coriandrum sativum* (15.90%), *Mimosa pudica* (15.19%), *Syzygium cumini* (12.36%), *Ageratum conyzoides* (11.30%), *Ocimum sanctum* (6.00%), *Schleichera oleosa* (5.30%), *Eucalyptus globulus* (4.94%), *Polygonum barbatum* (3.53%), *Blumea oxyodonta* (3.53%), and *Casuarina equisetifolia* (3.18%) as important minor pollen taxa.

Ananthagiri (V-P-AG-Ch-AF-13, autumn collection): the sample procured is productive and proved as unifloral as evidenced by the predominant pollen taxon *Schleichera oleosa* (55.00%), followed by the recovery of *Mimosa pudica* (13.07%), *Eucalyptus globulus* (8.65%), *Phyllanthus emblica* (6.92%), *Dendrophthoe falcata* (3.07%), and *Leucas aspera* (3.69%) as important minor pollen types.

Munchingiputtu (V-P-MUN-L-AF-14, autumn collection): the sample proved as multifloral with pollen of *Eucalyptus globulus* (13.46%),*Tridax procumbens* (8.77%), *Centipeda minima* (8.32%), *Ageratum conyzoides* (7.41%),*Terminalia arjuna* (6.80%), *Psidium guajava* (6.80%), *Crotalaria juncea* (6.95%), *Syzygium cumini* (6.95%), *Commelina suffruticosa* (6.95%), *Sapindus emarginatus* (4.84%), *Erythrina variegata* (3.02%), and *Leucas aspera* (3.78%) as important minor pollen types.

Ananthagiri (V-P-AG-Gb-AF-34, spring collection): the sample procured is unifloral as palynologically evidenced by a single predominant pollen taxon, *Ageratum conyzoides* (81.03%), followed by *Phyllanthus emblica* (12.06%) and *Madhuca indica* (5.86%) as important minor pollen types.

Araku Valley (V-P-AR-Me-AF-37, spring collection): the sample procured is productive and proved to be unifloral with predominant pollen taxon *Psidium guajava* (55.03%), followed by secondary pollen taxon *Mimosa pudica* (24.59%),*Terminalia arjuna* (10.53%), and *Delonix regia* (5.85%) pollen as important minor pollen types.

Paderu (V-P-P-Sp-AF-40, spring collection): the sample procured is productive like the AF-34 samples which is unifloral with predominant pollen taxon, *Ageratum conyzoides* (92.83%) followed by important minor pollen taxon, *Dendrophthoe falcata* (4.98%).

*Citrullus lanatus*, *Clerodendrum inerme*, *Cocos nucifera*, *Commelina suffruticosa*, *Conyza stricta*, *Coriandrum sativum*, *Crotalaria juncea*, *Cucumis sativus*, *Cyathocline*

*pentagyna*, *Erythrina variegata*, *Eucalyptus globulus*, *Gardenia lucida*, *Hakea laurina*,

*(1) Parkinsonia aculeata, (2) Pedalium murex, (3) Peltophorum pterocarpum, (4) Phyllanthus emblica, (5) Polygonum barbatum, (6) Psidium guajava, (7) Saccharum officinarum, (8) Sapindus emarginatus, (9) Schleichera oleosa, (10) Sida acuta, (11) S. cordata, (12) Solanum nigrum, (13) Spilanthes calva, (14) Syzygium cumini, (15) Terminalia arjuna, (16) Tribulus terrestris, (17) Tridax procumbens, (18) Urticaceae type, (19) Vernonia cinerea, (20) Vicoa indica, and (21) Xanthium strumarium. Scale bar:*

*purpurea*, *Datura stramonium*, *Delonix regia*, *Dendrophthoe falcata*, *Dillenia*

**Figure 5.**

**58**

*10 μm.*

*Modern Beekeeping - Bases for Sustainable Production*

*Hygrophila auriculata*, *Hyptis suaveolens*, *Lagerstroemia parviflora*, *Lannea coromandelica*, *Lantana camara*, *Leucaena leucocephala*, *Leucas aspera*, *Madhuca indica*, *Manilkara zapota*, *Mimosa pudica*, *Ocimum basilicum*, *O. sanctum*,

Paderu (V-P-P-Vm-AF-44, spring collection): the samples is palynologically productive and proved to be unifloral with single predominant pollen taxon, *Mimosa pudica* (69.57%), followed by the important minor pollen types like *Hyptis suaveolens* (14.56%) and *Conyza stricta* (13.59%).

The results coincide with the melissopalynological investigation in the peninsular part of India where unifloral honeys are dominant [35]. The diverse flora of India is due to varied climatic conditions in different parts of India. The multifloral source of honeys may be generated by the absence of major ingredients of forest and invasion of secondary forest elements [36]. The Palynological analysis of Paderu forest division honeys reflects that the native flora may be used as a source of good quality honey. In our studied honey-pollen exploration, it is easy to perceive that the honey bee preferred mainly non-arboreal in spring honeys, with the exception of Af-37 as arboreal dominant; *Ageratum conyzoides* is a predominant pollen taxon in three spring samples, *Mimosa pudica*,*Tridax procumbens*, and *Conyza stricta* as secondary pollen taxa. In autumn season also, bees preferred mainly non-arboreal exception of Af-13 and -64 samples, in Af-13 sample as unifloral with *Schleichera*

*Melissopalynological Analysis of Honeys from Paderu Forest Division of Visakhapatnam…*

Based on the above study, bees are preferred mainly on non-arboreal to collect nectar and convert to honey due to the flowering time of the melliferous species; climatic condition and human activities (e.g., farming, reforestation, and forest fires) may be other factors to consider in understanding the presence or absence of some taxa in the pollen spectra of honeys. In recent years, many rural communities have taken up beekeeping as an alternative source of their livelihood strategies. Even the younger generation is showing interest because beekeeping is so easy and simple that anybody can take it as an enterprise. Thus, our melissopalynological investigation may contribute to and favor the possibilities of using rich flora of the studied area in order to develop beekeeping enterprises on a commercial basis, in which self-employment opportunities may be created for many rural communities

The analysis of the pollen content of Paderu forest division in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh honey samples indicates that the local flora may be used as a source of good quality honey. The overall preponderance of non-arboreal in most of the honeys reflects that the honey bees prefer to visits to collect nectar. The

*Cyperaceae*, and *Poaceae* indicates that they were trapped in the hive incidentally by

scarce appearance of pollen from nectar-less plants such as *Amaranthaceae*,

wind or were inadvertently transported by honey bees. And apiculture may enhance honey production in floristically rich province of Paderu forest division in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas, when job opportu-

nities may be created for many developing rural communities of this state.

The authors are thankful to the Principal, University College of Science, Saifabad, OU, and Head of the Department of Botany, Osmania University, for providing laboratory facilities and acknowledge to local beekeepers for sample

*oleosa* as predominant pollen taxa.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88908*

**5. Conclusions**

**Acknowledgements**

collection.

**61**

and develop their livelihood strategies in this area.

*G. madugula* (V-P-GM-Ak-AF-48, spring collection): the samples proved as multifloral as evidenced by secondary pollen types like *Mimosa pudica* (32.91%), *Conyza stricta* (28.30%), and *Tridax procumbens* (17.81%). The remaining taxa are represented as important minor pollen types like *Pedalium murex* (5.24%), *Hyptis suaveolens* (3.56%), *Saccharum officinarum* (3.18%), *Sida acuta* (3.14%), and *Ageratum conyzoides* (3.14%).

Hukumpeta (V-P-HP-R-AF-51, spring collection): the sample is palynologically proved to be multifloral as evidenced by secondary pollen types, *Eucalyptus globulus* (35.48%) and *Mimosa pudica* (17.41%), followed by important minor pollen types, *Hygrophila auriculata* (14.83%), *Cocos nucifera* (11.61%), *Borassus flabellifer* (10.96%), and *Cucumis sativus* (9.71%).

Peddabayalu (V-P-PB-L-AF-53, spring collection): the sample procured is productive and proved as multifloral with pollen of *Syzygium cumini* (41.82%), *Centipeda minima* (18.87%) recorded as secondary pollen types, followed by the pollen of *Mimosa pudica* (14.59%), *Vernonia cinerea* (11.08%), and Urticaceae type (6.80%) as important minor pollen types.

Munchingiputtu (V-P-MUN-Sk-AF-54, autumn collection): the sample proved as multifloral with evidenced of pollen of *Syzygium cumini* (37.63%), *Centipeda minima* (18.70%), and *Mimosa pudica* (18.27%) represented as secondary pollen types. The remaining taxa are represented as important minor pollen types like Urticaceae type (11.82%), *Vernonia cinerea* (7.74%), and *Tridax procumbens* (5.84%).

Ananthagiri (V-P-AG-Mt-AF-57, autumn collection): the sample procured is productive and proved as multifloral with pollen of *Syzygium cumini* (26.97%) represented as secondary pollen taxon, followed by the pollen of *Spilanthes calva* (13.40%), *Mimosa pudica* (13.24%), *Centipeda minima* (12.43%), *Cyathocline purpurea* (12.76%), *Leucaena leucocephala* (10.10%),*Tridax procumbens* (5.71%), and *Vernonia cinerea* (5.39%) as important minor pollen types.

Paderu (V-P-P-Rb-AF-64, autumn collection): the sample proved to be multifloral with evidenced by secondary pollen types like *Tridax procumbens* (27.95%), *Schleichera oleosa* (19.88%), and *Erythrina variegata* (16.42%). The remaining taxa are *Eucalyptus globules* (12.96%), *Leucaena leucocephala* (6.34%), Urticaceae type (5.47%), *Cocos nucifera* (4.32%), *Amaranthus spinosus* (3.45%), and *Dendrophthoe falcata* (3.21%) recollected as important minor pollen types.

Peddabayalu (V-P-PB-L-AF-65, autumn collection): the sample procured is productive and proved as multifloral with pollen of *Mimosa pudica* (41.0%), *Schleichera oleosa* (26.61%), and *Dendrophthoe falcata* (19.42%) identified as secondary pollen types, followed by single-pollen taxon *Hakea laurina* (12.97%) as important minor pollen taxon.
