Research Article
A Comparative Study of the Impact of Avocado, Sunflower, and Courgette on Bee Productivity in Rwanda: A Case Study of Burera District
Gaspard Ntabakirabose*,
Ritha Tumukunde,
Eleonore Kambabazi,
Gerard Kayiranga,
Jean Claude Noel Majuga,
Mbabazi Mbabazize,
David Mwehia Mburu
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
132-138
Received:
5 January 2025
Accepted:
1 February 2025
Published:
14 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.eeb.20251004.11
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Abstract: Bees are vital insects in agricultural production systems. In addition to crop pollination, bees produce honey, a valuable food commodity. Bees' attraction to plants differs according to species and plant morphology. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Avocado, sunflower, and courgette crops on bee foraging behaviour, nectar collection efficiency, and honey production. The research focused on the Gatebe Sector, Rwambogo Cell, Murambo Village, characterized by its temperate climate and rich agricultural landscape. Bee visitation rates were measured at different times of the day, while honey production was tracked in colonies near the crops. The diversity of bee species visiting each crop was assessed using the Shannon-Wiener Index. The results revealed that sunflowers attracted the highest number of bees, particularly during midday, followed by avocado and courgette. Nectar collection efficiency and total honey yield were highest in sunflower, with peak activity from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Avocado showed moderate bee visitation and honey production, with a narrow peak period from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Courgette produced less honey, with a peak nectar collection period from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In terms of bee species diversity, sunflower exhibited the greatest richness, followed by avocado and courgette. Sunflower consistently yielded the highest total honey (14.5 kg), followed by avocado (11.5 kg) and courgette (8.0 kg). Sunflower attracted the highest species diversity, followed by Avocado while courgettes had the lowest diversity, with only 4 species. The findings suggest that sunflower cultivation in home gardens enhances bee productivity and supports a diverse pollinator community, making it an optimal choice for boosting both honey production and pollinator health. The study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate crops to optimize bee activity and improve agricultural sustainability in smallholder farming systems.
Abstract: Bees are vital insects in agricultural production systems. In addition to crop pollination, bees produce honey, a valuable food commodity. Bees' attraction to plants differs according to species and plant morphology. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Avocado, sunflower, and courgette crops on bee foraging behaviour, nectar c...
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Research Article
Abundance and Distribution of Snail Intermediate Hosts of Fasciola spp. a High-Risk Fascioliasis Ecosystem in Western Kenya
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
156-167
Received:
25 September 2025
Accepted:
21 October 2025
Published:
17 December 2025
Abstract: Trematode infections are still one of Africa’s most common and pervasive tropical diseases, especially in areas near freshwater bodies. Fasciola gigantica transmission in East African wetlands is shaped by the ecology of its freshwater snail hosts, yet fine-scale dynamics remain poorly resolved. This study quantified spatial, temporal, and spatio-temporal patterns of snail populations in Kingwal Wetland, in western Kenya, through monthly surveys of the snail host from January–December 2023 at seven ecologically distinct sites. A total of 8,754 snails belonging to eight different species were collected; dominant taxa were Biomphalaria sudanica (21.0%), B. pfeifferi (17.9%), Lymnaea auricularia (13.6%), Bulinus globosus (12.8%), and Radix natalensis (6.0%). The confirmed F. gigantica vectors, L. auricularia and R. natalensis, the snails showed distinct spatial patterns, with R. natalensis reaching a peak infection prevalence of 29.3% in June. Species abundance differed significantly across the sites (χ² = 3,284.77, df = 42, p < 0.001): Sites 1–3 exhibited the highest snail species diversity and abundance, whereas Site 7 exhibited consistently the lowest, likely reflecting anthropogenic disturbance and seasonal desiccation. Snail populations peaked during the long rains (May–August), with the highest monthly count in May (n = 1,383), and were lowest in January (n = 230) and December (n = 316), confirming strong seasonal effects (χ² = 839.27, df = 77, p < 0.001) and a significant spatio-temporal variation (CMH = 1,192.37, df = 11, p < 0.001). These findings indicate that fasciolosis transmission potential is greatest in wet months within stable, vegetation-rich habitats. The identification of a seasonal transmission window highlights a key timeframe for implementing targeted snail control measures, habitat management, and enhanced surveillance to disrupt F. gigantica transmission in wetlands.
Abstract: Trematode infections are still one of Africa’s most common and pervasive tropical diseases, especially in areas near freshwater bodies. Fasciola gigantica transmission in East African wetlands is shaped by the ecology of its freshwater snail hosts, yet fine-scale dynamics remain poorly resolved. This study quantified spatial, temporal, and spatio-t...
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,
Moses Ngeiywa
