A MELITTOPALYNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF WINTER HONEYS COLLECTED FROM APIS DORSATA HIVES OF SINDEWAHI TAHSIL OF CHANDRAPUR DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA STATE (INDIA)

The paper incorporates a qualitative and quantitative study of pollen contents in 8 squeezed honey samples collected from forest area of Sindwahi tahsil of Chandrapur district. Cajanus cajan(52.12% ) and Celosia argentea (45.5%) represents the predominant pollen type in 2 sample are designated as represents the predominant pollen type in 2 sample are designated as Cajanus honey and Celosia honey. The other significant pollen types recorded include Cajanus Cajan, Celosia argentea, Hyptis suavetens, Prosepis juliflora, Capparis grandis, Cloame gyanandra, Capsicum annuum. Dodonea viscora. The pollen counts ranged from 6,000 to 935,000. The data reflects the floral situation of the place were particular honey was produced and the identification of geographical origin based on the presence of a combination of pollen types of that particular area Keywords: Pollen, Honey, Apis dorsata, Sindewahi tahsil