Department of Entomology & Agricultural Zoology, Rajendra Agricultural University, Bihar, Pusa (Smastipur)-848 125 (India).
A survey of Indian mustard, Brassica juncea L. and important competing flora as a source of nectar/pollen or both, for honeybees in and around Pusa, Bihar (India) was undertaken from November, 1990 to March, 1991, and the density of mustard was worked out. Mustard crop was sown in 1708.08 ha over total cropped area of 9799.76 ha. Mustard constituted only 17.43 per cent of the flowering density. The crop did not come into flowering in all the villages at the same time but majority of them were in bloom in the first fortnight of January. Citrus and drumstick (Moringa) provided additional source of nectar and pollen besides mustard after these plants ceased to become as nectar sources. Litchi trees came in bloom abundantly by March, but the honey flow lasted for a very short duration (10.15 days).
