A study on productive characteristics of honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) in the Eucalyptus jungle of Fars province (Kowsar floodwater spreading station).

In Garebygone plain of Fars province، about 1365 hectares of bare land were allocated for a flood water spreading station and different species of Acacia and Eucalyptus trees were planted. In this Eucalyptus jungle، a twenty honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) was studied for one year. Having determined the flowering time and flowering period of the different species of Eucalyptus and Acacia trees، the productive characteristics of the colonies were recorded monthly، and the produced honey chemically analyzed. Various species of the Eucalyptus and Acacia planted in the flood spreading system flower in a 12-month season; therefore، enough nectar and pollen are available for honeybees throughout the year. In spring the yield and production characteristics of the colonies were good. Although the amount of nectar and pollen abounded in summer، the colonies were carried to the cold regions، because the temperature and pest population were high in the experimental site. In fall and winter the honeybees collected the nectar and pollen of the trees which bloomed in these seasons and had good wintering. Comparing the experimental honey with the standard criteria indicated it was a honey of quality.