Honeybee colonies carrying capacity determination in north-east dry land areas of Amhara region, Ethiopia.

The objective of the study was to examine the dynamics and sugar content of nectar of major bee flora species and to determine an approximate honeybee colony carrying capacity in northeast dry land areas of the Amhara region. Acacia asak, Acacia etbaica, Acacia tortolis, Becium grandiflorum, and Cordia africana honeybee floral species were selected on the basis of relative dominance in the area. Floral nectar was collected through micropipette and washing techniques based on the flower nature of the species and nectar sugar was measured by refractometer. Hence, A.asak, A.etbaica, A.tortolis, B.grandiflorum, and C.africana could have been estimated to produce 10.2 ± 6.4 mg, 5.3 ± 4.6 mg, and 2.6±1 mg. 4, 3.7 ± 2.1 mg, and 5.7 ± 3.2mg/flower head of nectar sugar, respectively. In a single tree of A.etbaica, A.asak, A.tortolis, B.grandiflorum, and C.africana a mean of 0.15 kg, 0.15 kg, 0.06 kg, 0.01 kg, and 0.03 kg of honey yield was expected to produce respectively. Similarly in a hectare of land, a mean of 49.9 kg, 128.9 kg, 5.6 kg, 5.5 kg, and 2.2 kg of honey was estimated to harvest. In a hectare of land a sum of 57.5 kg, 57.5 kg, and 128.9 kg of honey in highland, midland, and lowland locations, respectively was estimated to produce during the main harvesting season of the area. The mean number of honeybee colonies introduced in the lowland have estimated to be 18 traditional, 6 transitional, and 5 modern hives, and in the highland 12 traditional, 6 transitional, and 5 modern hives whereas in the midland 8 traditional, 5 transitional, 3 modern hives. In summary, even in the study area with limited rainfall and high temperatures, these species secreted a substantial amount of nectar sugar and supporting the enhancement of honey yield.