Honey Yield Research Articles

Resources of birch trees and their productivity for honey collection in conditions of the Leningrad region

The Leningrad Oblast has a rich food base for bees on forest land. Still, currently, there is no regulatory basis for assessing the honey resources of birch forest land at the regional level. Therefore, forest areas with woody, shrubby or herbaceous plants as part of the woody, shrubby or herbaceous layer are used as a forage base for bees. The birch forests of the Leningrad region are the second largest in terms of the area covered. The research aims to carry out an inventory of honey resources and determine honey productivity for the primary honey plants under the birch canopy and forest edges. We used a proven survey methodology for counting plants of the understorey at the experimental sites. The study presented 71 species from 31 families of melliferous plants of blueberry, wormwood and herb-meadow birch forests. Significant melliferous plants under the birch canopy are Aegopodium podagraria L. (herb-twine and sagebrush birch, 57 kilograms/hectare); Vaccinium myrtillus L. (birch bilberry and acidic birch, 27 kilograms/hectare); Veronica chamaedrys L. (acidic birch, 24 kilograms/hectare). Rubus idaeus L. (107 kg/ha) has maximum honey production in the forest margins. The honey yield of Frangula Alnus Mill. and Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop is 50-60 kg/ha; the honey yield of Trifolium medium L. is 32 kg/ha. The evaluation of the birch woodlands showed that the studied components of the forest phytocenosis are characterized by a significant number of honey-bearing plant species that have a wide range of honey productivity.

Beekeeping as an incentive to catchment rehabilitation

ABSTRACT The aim was to generate income and rehabilitate a degraded catchment by integrating beekeeping and motivating the local community for environmental conservation. After the intervention, total honey yields and revenues were increased 6-fold. Assessment of the catchment revealed 29 bee-forage species, an increment of 13 plant species, of which seven species were added through planting, and 6 were through natural regeneration. The diversity of the bee-plants was 1.0 and 1.6 before and after the intervention, respectively.

Nectar secretion of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels, Myrtaceae: Potential for honey production

The honey production capacity of bee flora is used to estimate the optimum colony carrying capacity of given area that helps to harvest the best honey yield. The research was conducted to quantify the nectar secretion pattern, the effect of temperature and humidity on dynamics of nectar secretion, and honey production capacity of Callistemon citrinus. One day before nectar collection, five inflorescences were enclosed with mesh bags on different branches of the tree. From these, twenty flowers were randomly selected per tree for the measurement of nectar volume. Additionally, nectar volume and concentration, temperature, and air humidity were measured with an interval of one hour. One way ANOVA and linear regression were used for data analysis. The average amount of nectar and its concentration were different significantly within the time of the day. Nectar amount was correlated positively with humidity while concentration was negatively correlated with temperature. The average nectar volume (µl) per flower in 24 hours, sugar amount per tree (kg), honey yield per individual tree (kg) and honey production capacity of Callistemon citrinus per hectare were 10.9+0.4, 0.65, 0.79, and 1264 kg (46-3808 kg), respectively. The real expected honey yield was 632 kg ha-1. Total financial return was estimated to be $4424 based on a value of $7 kg-1 of Callistemon citrinus honey. Therefore, the multiplication and plantation of this plant are suggested for honey production.

Detection of Varroa mites from honey bee hives by smart technology Var-Gor: a hive monitoring and image processing device

The major honey bee parasite Varroa destructor reduces hive vitality and honey yields by preventing growth of heathy bees and causes drastic loss in apiculture. Therefore, mite infestation in honey bee needs to be constantly controlled by beekeepers. To minimize this loss, a system called Var-Gor has been developed with the aim of controlling Varroa mite infestation before/just after entering the hive instead of the late period. Var-Gor is a hive entrance attachable device box consist of bee passage tunnels (width: 25 mm, height: 15 mm, and depth: 50 mm), autofocus detection camera combined with interface (process sensor: IV-HG10) and supportive image capturing equipment. Energy requirement of the device was provided by sustainable and eco-friendly solar panels and power batteries placed close to hives. Additionally, a Wi-Fi-like network connection and easy to use mobile application software was designed for the early warning of the beekeepers in case of Varroa destructor infestation. All the systems were designed compatible with cloud storage and 5G smart technology developments. Var-Gor was trained with 60% Varroa mite containing honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) and 40% not containing ones. The matching range of shapes to regular honey bee and Varroa mite was 70%. Following the training system, it was able to detect existing Varroa mites with the highest accuracy within the trained samples. Even though the system requires further training based on the location and color of the mite on bee, it is a promising smart technology device for early detection of the Varroa mites.

Dynamics of nectar secretion, honey production potential and colony carrying capacity of Coffea arabica L., Rubiaceae

Coffee is an important export commodity for the Ethiopian economy and also used for honey production. This study was aimed to identify the effect of temperature and humidity on nectar volume, the nectar secretion dynamics, honey production potentiality, and the number of bee colonies required to be placed in a hectare of coffee plantation for optimum honey production. The study was conducted in Gera District western Ethiopia. One day before nectar measuring, 5 inflorescences were covered with fine mesh bags on a different part of the tree. From covered inflorescences, twenty flowers per tree were randomly selected and nectar volume was measured using micropipettes. Accordingly, nectar volume and concentration, temperature, and air humidity were measured with an interval of one hour. The average nectar volume (µl) per flower in 24 hours, sugar amount per tree (g), expected honey yield per tree (kg) and honey (kg) production potential per hectare for C. arabica were 3.3 + 0.2, 0.040 + 3, 0.050 + 4 and 125 kg (25-275 kg), respectively. The actual harvestable amount of honey is half of the potential (62.5 kg/ha). If a kilogram of C. arabica honey would be valued at 6.25 USD, the total financial to be expected is $ 390.63 per hectare. The mean nectar volume and concentration have significant differences (p<0.05) at different hours of the day. Nectar volume was positively correlated with humidity while concentration positively correlated with temperature. One hectare of productive trees of C. arabica holds 4 or 3 or 2 honeybee colonies for traditional or transitional or frame hives respectively. From this study, it is concluded that Coffee is not economically valuable only for its seeds, but also for honey production. Therefore, the integration of coffee plantations with beekeeping is recommended.

Nosema ceranae Infections in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) Treated with Pre/Probiotics and Impacts on Colonies in the Field.

Alternatives to the antibiotic fumagillin for the control of Nosema ceranae, a gut parasite of the honey bee, are needed. The prebiotics eugenol, chitosan, and naringenin and the probiotic Protexin® (Enterococcus faecium) provided in sugar syrup or protein patty either in spring or fall were evaluated for their effects on N. ceranae infection, colony population, honey yield and winter survivorship using field colonies. In the first year, spring treatments with eugenol, naringenin, and Protexin® significantly reduced N. ceranae infection and increased honey production, while Protexin® also increased adult bee populations and chitosan was ineffective. Fall treatments increased survivorship and decreased N. ceranae infection the following spring. In the second year, selected compounds were further tested with a larger number of colonies per treatment and only protein patty used in the spring and sugar syrup in the fall. Protexin® and naringenin significantly decreased N. ceranae infections and increased the population of adult bees after spring treatment, but did not affect honey yields. There were no differences between treatments for colony winter mortality, but surviving colonies that had been treated with Protexin® and naringenin were significantly more populated and had lower N. ceranae spore counts than control, non-treated colonies. Protexin® and naringenin were the most promising candidates for controlling N. ceranae and promoting honey bee populations, warranting further investigation. Future research should investigate the optimal colony dose and treatment frequency to maximize colony health.

The contribution of land cover change to the decline of honey yields in the Northern Great Plains

Decreased availability of forage, as well as increased pesticide exposure, are important factors in the decline of honey bee health. Here, we isolate land cover transitions and their effect on honey production at 160 commercial apiaries in the Northern Great Plains. We found that land cover changes from 2008 to 2012 caused an annual decline in honey yields of 0.9% in the study area. Transitions from grassland to soybean (but not corn) were particularly detrimental to honey yields, potentially due to bee contact with pesticides within and around agricultural fields. When our results are applied to known apiary locations across all of North Dakota (U.S.A.), we estimate a 2.5% (1.6 million USD) decline in 2012 honey yields due to land cover changes occurring between 2008 and 2012. Even when controlling for changes in land cover, we found that on average colonies in the study area experienced a 14% annual decline in honey yields. We discuss possible explanations for these non-land-cover-related honey yield declines, including changing economic conditions (e.g. pollination services), changes in land management (e.g. pesticides), and increases in pests or diseases.

A New Approach to Inform Restoration and Management Decisions for Sustainable Apiculture

Habitat loss has reduced the available resources for apiarists and is a key driver of poor colony health, colony loss, and reduced honey yields. The biggest challenge for apiarists in the future will be meeting increasing demands for pollination services, honey, and other bee products with limited resources. Targeted landscape restoration focusing on high-value or high-yielding forage could ensure adequate floral resources are available to sustain the growing industry. Tools are currently needed to evaluate the likely productivity of potential sites for restoration and inform decisions about plant selections and arrangements and hive stocking rates, movements, and placements. We propose a new approach for designing sites for apiculture, centred on a model of honey production that predicts how changes to plant and hive decisions affect the resource supply, potential for bees to collect resources, consumption of resources by the colonies, and subsequently, amount of honey that may be produced. The proposed model is discussed with reference to existing models, and data input requirements are discussed with reference to an Australian case study area. We conclude that no existing model exactly meets the requirements of our proposed approach, but components of several existing models could be combined to achieve these needs.

Increased Honey Yield of Apis cerana japonica Using Half-Sized Flow® Frames in a Traditional Japanese Beehive

There has been minimal investigation into how hive design may impact honey production, especially focusing on Japanese honey bees (Apis cerana japonica). This research demonstrates how incorporatin...

Development of biotechnological method for temporary isolation of filled honeycombs to increase the productivity of honey collection and the quality of bee hone

The honey productivity of bee colonies during the bribe from the white acacia was increased by the method of selection of unripe honey from the nest. Empty honeycombs were substituted in their place. On the fifth day of honey collection from white acacia in the families of the research group, a third one with empty combs was placed between two buildings. Between buildings 2 and 3, a bee limiter was placed, allowing worker bees to easily get into building 2, but did not allow them to come back. Sampling of honey, analysis of physical and chemical parameters was carried out according to DSTU 4497: 2005 "Natural honey. Technical conditions" (DSTU 4497: 2005, 2007). The use of a biotechnological technique for the temprary isolation of filled cells with unripe honey to increase the honey yield by an average of 26.6% and preserve the quality of the finished product has been substantiated. At the time of bribe from white acacia, freshly brought nectar contained an average of 23.57% sucrose and 38.95% water. Until the end of the first day of the experiment, under the intense influence of the receiving bees, 13.35% of the water is removed on the product, due to which a rapid increase in the concentration of sucrose occurred.At the final stage of the ninth day of maturation, the bees sealed mature honey with a water content of 16.40%, sucrose - 4.95% and 75.64% monosaccharides. Upon the return of the isolated combs with the immature product to the nest, the bees had access to the product for 3 days, and then on the 4th day they began to seal the cells. Honey in terms of water, monosugar and sucrose content did not differ from the product in the control group of bee colonies. Key words: honeyripening, bees, sucrose, monosaccharides, whiteacacia, nectar.

Variation in the Distribution of Nosema Species in Honeybees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) between the Neighboring Countries Estonia and Latvia.

The unicellular spore-forming parasites Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae are considered to be one of the causes of increased honey bee mortality in recent years. These pathogens attack their honey bee hosts through their gut, causing changes in behavioral stress responses and possibly resulting in decreased honey yield and increased honey bee mortality. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Nosema spp. (nosemosis) in Estonia and Latvia, as well as the persistence of the disease in previously infected hives. Currently, N. ceranae is considered the most virulent species and is predominant worldwide. However, in some regions, usually with colder climates, N. apis is still prevalent. To achieve better disease control, it is important to determine the species distribution. For this purpose, we selected 30 apiaries in Estonia and 60 in Latvia that were positive for Nosema spp. in the EPILOBEE (2012–2014) study, which was 5 years prior to the present study. The results show that, while both species are present in Estonia and Latvia, N. apis is dominant in Estonia (43%), and N. ceranae is dominant in Latvia (47%). We also found that the pathogens are very persistent, since 5 years later, only 33% of infected apiaries in Estonia and 20% of infected apiaries in Latvia, we could not detect any pathogens at the time of sampling.

Ocena cech użytkowych i biologicznych wybranej linii pszczół rasy kraińskiej

The aim of the study was to analyze the functional and biological characteristics of the Carniolian breed of the Bielka 1 line. The research material consisted of queens subjected to stationary evaluation in ten consecutive feed seasons (2009–2018). The analysis covered such features as: honey yield, winter hardiness, spring development, swarming behavior and the behavior of bees indicating their mildness or malignancy. A statistically significant or highly significant influence of the year of evaluation was found on all the analyzed functional traits of the Bielka 1 line Carniolian bees. The bees of this line were characterized by a very good honey yield. There were positive and significant correlations between this feature and the others. No significant relationships were observed between the behavior of the Bielka 1 bees and their tendency to swarm and spring development. The bees were characterized by good winter hardiness, creating strong colonies and dynamic spring development. The good qualities of the bee colonies of this line are calm and gentleness. Moreover, they are characterized by low swarming behavior and usually received maximum scores for this feature. The Bielka 1 line can be useful in large apiaries focused on intensive production, but also in home, amateur apiaries.

Development and evaluation of a web-based intelligent decision support system for migratory beekeepers in Turkey to follow nectar resources

In honey production, high yields can be achieved with migratory beekeeping. Migratory beekeepers complete the honey production season by moving their colonies to areas with high nectar flow. Traditionally migratory beekeepers decide where to go based on their previous experience. Nowadays, given the rapidly changing climatic conditions, it is seen that the regions to be visited should be decided with more qualified information rather than experience. In this study, a web-based information system was developed which provides qualified information about the regions to be visited by migrant beekeepers. The information system takes into account the nectar flow and climatic conditions in the regions to be visited. These two important factors were evaluated using fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) and an intelligent decision support system (IDSS) was developed. The cognitive map was analysed statistically in the conceptual modelling stage of FCM and it was found that it explained 82.3% of beekeeping potential according to multiple linear regression. Using IDSS, migratory beekeepers can learn the honey yield (good, average, and bad) they can obtain from the regions they will visit. The information system was also compared with the measurement results made with the wireless sensor network (WSN) and the migratory beekeeper information for 2017. As a result, it was found that IDSS operates with 79.8% accuracy.

The impact of caging the queens during the flow season on some biological activities of honeybee colonies.

This study was achieved in a private apiary located in a banana farm in Sa El Hagar, Basioun, Gharbia, Egypt from August 15, 2019 to May 25, 2020, including the banana (Musa sp., Musaceae) flow season (August and September) and extend to Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L., Fabaceae) flow season (May). The study aimed to evaluate the effect of confining the queen during the banana flow season on the brood rearing, honey yield, and activation of worker's ovaries. Also, we determined the negative impact of caging the queen during the banana flow season on the activity of the colony in brood rearing, storing pollen, and honey yield after releasing the queen on 5 October, extending to the next flow season in May. The obtained results showed that the honeybee colonies with the caged queen produced significantly more honey yield and less brood production than the free queen ones during the banana flow season. Also, the caging of the queen did not affect the colony strength after releasing the queen despite the partial development of the ovaries of some workers, but they did not lay eggs. In addition, releasing the queens suppressed the ovaries of the laying workers. It can be concluded that caging the queen during the banana flow season helps the colonies to produce more honey yield without effect on the colony strength after releasing the queen despite the ovaries development of few workers without egg-laying.

Designing a Smart Honey Supply Chain for Sustainable Development

Smart agricultural systems can ensure food security at the source, combat counterfeits and mislabeled goods, garner and preserve trust, and reduce the price of product differentiation. In the honey sector, a smart supply chain could help lift beekeepers out of poverty by generating better market opportunities and value for their honey and strengthening apiculture's position as a vital component of sustainable agriculture. In doing so, the proposed system improves food security and food safety, and reduces honey fraud while strengthening greater biodiversity. This article shows how an open, image-based traceability system designed for sustainable development can be built and used around the world. Key smart agricultural technologies discussed include data-driven honey yield prediction and verification, a smart distribution system built on blockchain technology, pollen signature verification with machine learning algorithms, and a final customer information portal. Taken together, this smart agricultural system has the potential to further several of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Enhancing the Viability of the Modified Taungya System through Bee Keeping

ABSTRACT Beekeeping as a Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) under the Modified Taungya System (MTS) is under exploited. Information on the types of tree plantation and wood hives suitable for its productivity is scarce. This study addressed this knowledge gap by setting up different bee wood hives under three monoculture plantation stands of Tectona grandis Linn, Cedrela odorata L. and Terminalia superba Engl. in the Tano Offin Forest Reserve of Ghana. The experiment was laid using factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated 3 times. The study revealed that plantations of Tectona grandis, Cedrela odorata and Terminalia superba were all suitable for honey production even though Cedrela odorata produced the lowest honey yield. The most significant factor that affected honey production was the type of wood used to construct the bee hive. Cedrela odorata wood hives were not suitable for beekeeping since none was colonized. However, Tectona grandis wood hives yielded the highest honey, bee wax and propolis of 57.81 kg/harvest, 6.44 kg/harvest, 2.30 kg/harvest respectively. Also, Tectona grandis wood hives generated a profit of US$ 443.48/harvest compared to US$ 201.17/harvest for Terminalia superba wood hives. Tree plantations under MTS can be added value through bee keeping. Incorporating beekeeping in plantations could bring other unintended benefits such as farmer's preparedness to protect the plantations from fires which is a major threat to plantation establishment.

Pollination efficiency of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Cosmos sulphureus (Asteraceae) capitula at Dang (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon)

To study the foraging activity of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Cosmos sulphureus (Asteraceae) and to evaluate its impact on fruits yields, C. sulphureus capitula were observed on Dang (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon) from September to November 2016 and from August to October 2017. Each year, observations were made every day, from 06.00 am to 6.00 pm on 540 capitula divided in four treatments: 120 capitula left in free polliniation, 120 capitula protected from insects ; 200 capitula protected, then uncovered, exclusively visited by A. mellifera and rebagged ; 100 capitula protected, then uncovered and rebagged without insect or any other organism visit. The foraging behaviour on A. mellifera capitula, its pollination efficiency, the fruiting rate, the percentage of mature achenes and the percentage of normal (well developed) achenes were evaluated. The results show that among 10 insect species recorded on C. sulphureus capitula after two seasons of observation, A. mellifera was the most represented with 95.57 % of 1128 visits. This bee harvested intensely nectar and pollen on C. sulphureus florets. The fruiting rate, the percentage of mature akenes and the percentage of normal achenes of treatments with unprotected capitula were significantly higher than those of treatments with capitula protected from insects. Through the pollination efficiency of a single capitule visit, A. mellifera increased the fruiting rate, the percentage of mature achenes and the percentage of normal achenes by 50.58 %, 14.37 % and 40.52 % respectively. The installation of A. mellifera colonies close to C. sulphureus fields is recommended to increase achenes and honey yields, as well as pollen production as a hive product.

Evaluation of different hive designs for domestication and conservation of native stingless bee (Apidae: Meliponula beccarii) in Ethiopia

There has been a long standing tradition of stingless bee, Meliponula beccarii (M. beccarii), honey hunting in Ethiopian farming communities. However, attempt has not been made to domesticate and manage stingless bees for sustainable harvest of the products. Domestication trial of M. beccarii in different hives types were conducted for colony adaptation. For this purpose, a total of 33 stingless bee colonies excavated from wild nests were transferred into five UTOB, 10 rectangular box and 18 pot hives. All of the colonies transferred to UTOB and rectangular box hives were absconded within six months of their establishment, indicating a 100% failure of M. beccarii domestication in wooden box hives set above the ground. However, among 18 stingless bee colonies transferred into pot hives and placed under the ground, 16 (88.9%) were adapted and successfully domesticated. Two season honey yield was harvested from pot hived colonies using disposable syringe and the average honey yield/colony/year was 1.10 ± 0.20 L that ranges from 90 ml – 3 L/colony. Moreover, the average volume of honey/honey pot was estimated to be 6.26 ± 1.08 ml. Furthermore, the nests of M. beccarii were protected with an average of 6.87 ± 0.65 guard bees/nest. Therefore, this study demonstrated for the first time that the possibility of M. beccarii domestication using pot hives for the sustainable honey production and conservation of this native bee species in Ethiopia. Although the current results highlighted the possibility of M. beccarii domestication for sustainable honey production, more research is needed on how to manage, multiply them, on the best way of honey harvesting technique and use of these bees for pollination services.

On-farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Small Hive Beetle (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Aethina tumida&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Trapping Technology

On-farm Evaluation and demonstration of small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) trapping technology was conducted in the 2018/2019 in West Shoa zone, Bako Tibe district to evaluate the effectiveness of the trap, to minimize the absconded of honey bees and produce quality, honey. One representative PA was selected based on honey production potential and accessibility for field monitoring and visit. Beneficiary farmers were selected based on the criteria and objective of the AGP II (Agricultural Growth Program II,) and the willingness of farmers to participate in the demonstration. The FREG members include 20 beekeepers (5female and 15 men.) The training was given for beekeepers, Woreda experts, and DAs.20 Langstroth hives (10 treatments and 10 control colonies) were established at one apiary site. Pieces of corrugated cardboard (45 cm × 45 cm), with one surface peeled to expose the ridges, were placed on the bottom board of each beehive with the ridged side down for treatment group hive. Small hive beetle adults and larvae were trapped counted, removed, and burned. Honey bee colonies from the treatment group were not absconded whereas the control group honey bee colonies were more absconded. The honey yields were obtained from the treatment group 16Kg/hive/season and 7Kg/hive/season from the control group. The number of small hive beetle adults and larvae counted from the cardboard was decreased through data collection season. The FREG members appreciated the technology; therefore, further scaling up of this technology should be conducted in different areas of beekeeping.

Efficiency of probiotic supplements in the dynamics of economically useful indicators of honey-bee colonies

In the modern world, the problem of honey-bee colonies’ death is acute. An intensive search is underway for environmentally friendly preparations that could stimulate the bees’ resistance to various diseases, as well as have a beneficial effect on the body, thereby contributing to an increase in honey productivity. Preparations based on live probiotics bacteria of Lactobacillus and Bacillus subtilis genus are currently becoming increasingly popular. The use of probiotics in beekeeping allows to destroy pathogenic microflora, strengthen immunity and activate the body’s metabolic processes. The aim of the study was to determine the influence efficiency of probiotic preparations complex ApiVrach, SpasiPchel, Pche-loNormoSil during the period of spring development on the economically useful traits of honey-bee colonies. Studies have found that when probiotics are added to sugar syrup in the spring, the brood growth of bee colonies and their honey productivity are activated. The flight activity of bees when feeding with probiotic preparations increased by 43.6% from the control group. When assessing the dynamics of the bee colony’s strength, it was found that the usage of “ApiVrach” + “PcheloNormoSil” combination allows increasing the amount of sealed brood by 4 times, and the strength of the bee colony - by 1.5 times. Also, this combination of preparations made it possible to obtain the largest amount of total honey yield by 19.2% more than the control group, by 3.0% more than the group that received the ApiVrach + SpasiPchel complex and by 1.1% more than when using ApiVrach.