Forrajeo de polen, de las abejas melíferas (Apis mellifera) en contacto con cultivos de soja (Glycine max) en dos departamentos de Uruguay

This study aimed to assess and compare the pollen floral resources used by Apis mellifera colonies in different soybean production environments in Uruguay, using palynological techniques. Pollen samples were collected periodically from hives located in two sites (Mendoza, Florida and Young, Río Negro) using pollen traps at the hive entrance. The collected samples were analyzed to identify pollen types and were complemented with floral surveys of plant species present in the surrounding area. The results showed that A. mellifera uses soybean pollen during the flowering period, although not exclusively, as a wide diversity of co-flowering plant species was recorded. This multifloral pattern was consistent across both environments, reflecting the generalist foraging behavior of the species. In conclusion, soybean acts as a complementary pollen resource within the agricultural landscape, while the diversity of surrounding flora plays a key role in colony nutrition. Additionally, the presence of multiple attractive plant species may limit the concentration of foraging on soybean, potentially affecting pollination efficiency.