EXAMINATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF PLANT SPECIES AND BEEHIVE TYPES ON THE YIELD OF HONEY IN TOUNGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the influence of plant species and beehives on the yield of honey in Mayo-Bakari Community Game Reserve in Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Data on list of woody and herbaceous plant species visited by honeybees were obtained through ocular assessment and total count method. Yield of honey was recorded from different bee hives for 2 years. Data on species list of plants visited by honeybees were subjected to descriptive statistics. Woody plant species diversity was analyzed using Simpson Diversity Index. Multiple regressions were used in the assessment of woody plant species diversity and herbaceous plant species cover on the yield of honey. Seventeen woody plant species belonging to 11 families and 10 herbaceous plant species belonging to 4 families were visited either occasionally, frequently and very frequently by honeybees in the study area. Results of woody and herbaceous plant species diversity were 0.9468 and 0.8305 respectively. Woody plant species diversity (111.416**) and temperature (0.627*) contributed more than other factors {P