Comparison of phenological, aerobiological and melissopalynological patterns of Olea europaea

In the last few years, many studies have used airborne pollen to record the flowering season of plants. However, the airborne pollen found in traps does not always originate from or reflect the flowering period of the taxa from the studied surroundings. This study compared aerobiological, melissopalynological and flowering phenological data obtained from olive trees. The results of the study suggest that pollen loads collected by honeybees can be used as an alternative method to airborne pollen to record the flowering phenological phases and to provide accurate results.