MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF HONEYS FROM A COASTAL DISTRICT OF ANDHRA-PRADESH, INDIA

Twenty-nine apiary honeys collected from Diwancheruvu village of the c oastal East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, during February 1991 to May 1993 were analysed for their pollen contents. The majority oi the honey samples (20) were found to be unifloral (single source) with Eucalyptus sp., Sapindus emarginatus (during winter), Borassus fl abellifer, Phoenix sylvestris and Anacardium occidentale (during summe r) constituting the predominant pollen types. Two honey flow periods ( HFP) could be recognized in this area. HFP-I (November-February) is th e principal flow period and HFP-II (March-June) is the secondary flow period. July-October represents the dearth period. Pollen-rich Group I II honeys (APC 110,000-480,000) are characteristic of the Diwancheruvu area.