Academics map pollen atlas of Pervari honey
Researchers from several Turkish universities have begun creating a detailed pollen atlas for Pervari honey to scientifically validate its unique botanical origin and properties.
A team of academics from Siirt, Dicle, Şırnak and Bartın universities has collaborated on a significant scientific project. The goal of the research is to prepare a comprehensive pollen atlas for the registered Pervari honey, produced in the Siirt province of southeastern Turkey. Researchers aim to determine the precise botanical origin of this high-value product by examining the plants that bees visit across the region’s plateaus.
As part of the fieldwork, research teams collect plant samples from the Guharan, Çemikari, and Kovanağzı regions of the Pervari district. The collected material undergoes rigorous identification at the Botan Herbarium of Siirt University. The gathered data will establish a scientific foundation for verifying the honey’s origin by comparing field pollen samples with the pollen found within the final product.
Mehmet Fidan, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Letters at Siirt University, emphasized the importance of this work not only for quality assurance but also for addressing bee health issues. According to Fidan, researchers are analyzing quality parameters of bee products while investigating the link between local flora and potential microbial infections affecting bee colonies.
Behcet İnal, Dean of the Agriculture Faculty at Siirt University, noted that detailing the botanical structure of the southeastern province is crucial for maintaining international registration status. Researchers are actively collaborating with local beekeepers to document the diversity of flora in active harvesting areas. This effort is expected to confirm the purity of the product and improve marketing strategies for reaching international markets.
Devran Coşkun, Director of the Beekeeping Application and Research Center at Siirt University, added that the atlas will significantly strengthen the geographical registration of Pervari honey. Furthermore, the research aims to determine the value of other bee-derived products, including propolis, royal jelly, and apilarnil, sourced from the local flora. It is anticipated that this comprehensive scientific approach will ensure the long-term sustainable development of the region's beekeeping sector.