WOOD SPECIES PREFERENCE FOR HONEYBEES COLONISATION IN OYO AND OGUN STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

Wood species are major determinants of bee colonisation and retention, hence influencing the yield and quality of honey produced. In Apiculture, wood species preference for beehive construction has been implicated in high bee abscondment. However, information on the properties of wood species preferred by honeybees is limited. Therefore, properties of preferred wood species for beehive construction and honey production in selected locations from Oyo and Ogun states were investigated.

Structured questionnaire was administered to all active bee farmers in two bee farming communities each in Oyo (Onifuufu: n=20; Ogunmakin: n=12) and Ogun (Adeaga: n=32; Ayetoro: n=16) States. Information on estimated honey production (kg/year) and preferred wood species for beehive construction were elicited. Five most preferred wood species were used to construct twelve (60cm x 30cm x 15cm) wooden hives, each covered with 22 top-bars. Three of the constructed hives per wood species were erected in each of the four communities. Number of colonised top-bars/ hive and abscondment after baiting were obtained monthly for a year. Honey yield per hive (kg/year) was calculated. Physical {density (kg/m3), moisture content (%), volumetric shrinkage (%)}, and phytochemical {(alkaloids (ppm), flavonoids (ppm) and phenols (µ)} properties of preferred wood species were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression and ANOVA at α0.05.

Bee farmers with highest estimated honey production (9.0±0.0 kg) were 45.0% (Onifuufu), 43.8% (Adeaga), 41.7% (Ogunmakin) and 37.5% (Ayetoro) while the least (4.0±0.0) were 6.3%, 6.3%, 8.3% and 10.0% in Adeaga, Ayetoro, Ogunmakin and Onifuufu, respectively. Fifteen wood species were identified for beehive construction. Five most preferred species were Khaya grandifoliola (3.7%), Terminalia superba (6.3%), Cordia millenii (18.8%), Triplochiton scleroxylon (21.2%) and Gmelina arborea (50%). Colonisation was highest in G. arborea beehives at each location (Ogunmakin: 94.4±9.6; Adeaga and Ayetoro: 83.3±16.7; Onifuufu: 77.8±9.6) and least with K. grandifoliola (16.7± 28.9 in Ogunmakin and Ayetoro) and Triplochiton scleroxylon (33.3±28.9 in Adeaga and 38.9±34.7 in Onifuufu). Abscondment was highest (66.6%) in K. grandifoliola (Onifuufu, Ayetoro) and none in G. arborea.Highest and least honey yield were 6.7±0.2; 3.6±0.2 (Adeaga), 6.2±0.2; 3.4±0.3 (Onifuufu), 5.6±0.2; 3.4±0.3 (Ayetoro) and 5.4±0.2; 4.1±0.2 (Ogunmakin). Honey yield was highest in G. arboreahives (5.9±1.0) and least in K. grandifoliola (3.6±0.1). Khaya grandifoliola had the highest (611.6±70.7) density while T. superba had the least (368.5±32.2). Moisture content varied from 18.7±0.5 in K. grandifoliola to 14.8±0.4 in G. arborea. Volumetric shrinkage varied from 6.2±1.4 in G. arborea to 8.8±1.1 in K. grandifoliola. Gmelina arborea had the highest concentration of alkaloids (392.2±2.1) while K. grandifoliola had the least (217.2±11.7). Flavonoidsranged from 3.2±0.8 in K. grandifoliola to 174.7±6.8 in G. arborea. Phenols was highest (63.0±0.6) in T. superba and least (12.8±0.6) in T. scleroxylon. Presence of alkaloids and flavonoids influenced colonisation (R2=0.86), abscondment (R2=0.70) and honey yield (R2=0.72) in Gmelina arborea bee hives.

Gmelina arborea and Triplochiton scleroxylon were the most preferred wood species for beehive construction in Oyo and Ogun States. High levels of alkaloids and flavonoids in Gmelina arborea improved bee colonisation, reduced abscondment, and increased honey production.