Contribution to the knowledge of melliferous plants : Ethno apicultural survey with beekeepers in the district of Ziguinchor , Kolda and Sedhiou ( Senegal )

The melliferous plants are plant species on which the bee takes substances, including nectar, pollen and resin to feed and to develop its various products (honey, royal jelly...). It is well known that the products of the hive reflect in quantity and quality the nature of the pollinated plants (Lafleche, 1981). In addition, melliferous plants vary with climatic conditions (G de Layens, 1997). Indeed, Casamance includes three large districts with a very favorable climate for the development of plant species.


INTRODUCTION
The melliferous plants are plant species on which the bee takes substances, including nectar, pollen and resin to feed and to develop its various products (honey, royal jelly...). It is well known that the products of the hive reflect in quantity and quality the nature of the pollinated plants (Lafleche, 1981). In addition, melliferous plants vary with climatic conditions (G de Layens, 1997). Indeed, Casamance includes three large districts with a very favorable climate for the development of plant species.
The area of classified forests is 607540 ha for 56 classified forests including 30 in Lower Casamance (116776 ha, Ziguinchor), 12 in Middle Casamance (84453 ha, Sedhiou) and 14 in Upper Casamance (396230 ha,Kolda). This potential allows the development of plant species, diversified and particularly honey. There are also mangroves that constitute specific plant formations. They enjoy the status of classified forests. This ecosystem is also home to many species of molluscs, fish, crustaceans, spiders, but especially bees (Geist, 2012).
Yet, there is undoubtedly in these forests classified considerable beekeeping resource, which should be developed not only to provide local people a high quality food supplement, but also to promote the growth of bee colonies and to provide agriculture and all vegetation a sufficient number of pollinators. Similarly, it is also important to develop beekeeping in these district because it represents a diversification of cash income source for the beekeeper and often impoverished rural community and no other type of resources (Ahouandjinou, 2016). The aim of this study is to determine the potentially honey plants to allow good conservation of these resources and a high quality beekeeping can solve the problem of malnutrition in indigenous peoples. and 16 ° 16'18 '' W Longitude with a population of 549151 peoples. It has a sub-Guinean climate and a total annual rainfall of 1190.1 mm/year. Then the district of Kolda with an area of 13721 km 2 , lies at 13°04'60 '' N Latitude and 14 °49'60 '' W Longitude with a population of 847243 peoples. The climate is Guinean Sudano type with a total annual rainfall of 883 mm/ year. Finally, the district of Sedhiou located at 12 ° 42'29 '' N Latitude and 15 ° 33'24 '' W Longitude has an area of 7330 km 2 and a population of 452994 peoples. Sedhiou has a Sudano Guinean climate and The average annual rainfall is about 1000 mm (National Agency of Statistics and Demography, 2013). Beekeepers were interviewed about the different types of melliferous plants in their areas. Below representative map of the survey area (Map 1). The melliferous flora is dominated by African and pan-tropical species which together account for nearly 86.88% of species (see Table I). Indeed, African species represent more than half of the species (57.38%) while pantropical species have more than 1/3 of the species. It has African species (57.38%) pantropical species (29.51%), Afro-Indian species (6.56%), species from Africa and tropical America (3, 28%), an Afro-Asian species (1.64%) and an Asian American species (1.64%) (Figure 2).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The dominance of the African species can be explained by the fact that African species are more adapted to the bioclimatic conditions of the environment than other species Noba et al., (2004). Several species are visited by bees according to beekeepers, of the herbaceous strata to the ligneous strata with fruit plant, cereal or agroforestry plants.

CONCLUSION
A total of 61 species were registered as melliferous plants. The information collected from this survey indicates that they are aware about of the presence of melliferous plants in their areas. This knowledge was inherited from their ancestors, but gradually disappears with the new generations who have abandoned the preservations of these forest resources. Most of the plant were wild and herbs, so their conservation is necessary for utilization of generations to come. This can be done by encouraging local people for the cultivation of these plants. Furthermore, this preliminary study may be act as a baseline for the discovery of new plant-based medicines but also for the implantation of apiaries for the production of honey. These melliferous species can be studied to know the compounds and these various activities.