The College of Agriculture at the University of Basra investigated the effect of foraging honeybees on detecting plant diversity and the role of pollen in identifying honey sources in Basra Governorate.
The thesis, presented by master's student Zahra Shaboot Dakhel, aimed to use various diagnostic techniques, including staining samples and using light microscopy to identify patterns and shapes of pollen grains, as well as to identify differences in pollen components during different flowering seasons.
The thesis included an exploration of the plant diversity that supports honeybee colony activity, its impact on productivity, and the detection of honey sources through pollen.
The results showed that the diversity of plant cover encourages honeybees to increase their flower foraging over a specific period.
The thesis recommended placing honeybee hives in agricultural fields with high plant cover to ensure the sustainability of the hives, as they prefer natural food over artificial food.