Identifikasi Jenis Tumbuhan Pakan Lebah Madu di Desa Sijambur, Kecamatan Ronggur Nihuta, Kabupaten Samosir

Abstract

The potential for honeybee cultivation in Indonesia remains very promising due to the rich diversity of vegetation that provides continuous sources of nectar and pollen throughout the year. However, the reduction of forest cover and the lack of scientific data on forage plant species have become obstacles in the management of honeybee farming, particularly in rural areas such as Sijambur Village, Ronggurnihuta Subdistrict, Samosir Regency. This research aimed to identify various plant species that serve as potential forage sources for honeybees and to develop a flowering calendar of nectar and pollen-producing plants in Sijambur Village. The study was conducted through field observations, interviews, and literature reviews at three observation sites within a 900-meter radius from beekeeping points. was applied to determine species composition, density, and dominance around the research sites. The results identified 47 plant species that serve as forage sources for honeybees, consisting of shrubs, trees, herbs, and parasitic plants. Dominant species include Coffea arabica, Syzygium aromaticum, Musa paradisiaca, and Calliandra calothyrsus. Most species bloom throughout the year, while others flower seasonally or irregularly. The diversity and continuous availability of these forage plants indicate that Sijambur Village has great potential for the sustainable development of Apis cerana and Trigona sp. honeybee cultivation, which contributes not only to ecological balance through pollination but also to improving the local community’s economic welfare.