Pollen spectrum of Finnish honey 

Authors

• Anna-Liisa Varis Department of Agricultural and Forest Zoology, University of Helsinki, SF-00710 Helsinki 71, Finland
• Juha Helenius Department of Agricultural and Forest Zoology, University of Helsinki, SF-00710 Helsinki 71, Finland
• Kari Koivulehto Department of Agricultural and Forest Zoology, University of Helsinki, SF-00710 Helsinki 71, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72111

Abstract

Pollen spectra were analysed on 160 honey samples representing the whole beekeeping area of Finland in the years 1977 and 1978. A semi-quantitative method of pollen analysis based online counts was developed. It was found efficient for determining the relative numbers of pollen grains in the honey samples. On average, ca. 16 pollen types were identified per sample. The number of honeydew elements was low in all samples. Brassicaceae pollen was the dominant type. The other most frequent and abundant types were pollen grains of Trifolium repens + T. hybridum, Salix spp., "the Rosaceae group” (Prunus, Malus, Sorbus spp.), Apiaceae, and Filipendula ulmaria. These pollen types constituted 90.8 % (1977) and 90.3 % (1978) of all the pollen examined. Between 1960—1963 and 1977—1978 the average proportion of Brassicaceae pollen has risen, while the proportion of T. repens + T. hybridum pollen has decreased, evidently due to the changes in agricultural practices. The seasonal variation in the pollen spectrum was explained by the weather conditions. Regionally characteristic pollen spectra were not found, although Brassicaceae pollen was typical of the honeys of agricultural zones I and II, due to cultivation of Brassica oilseed crops in those regions. The positive correlation of the proportion of Brassicaceae pollen with the total pollen count is discussed in connection with the problem of determining the botanical origin.