THE IMPACT OF THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF POLLEN ON THE DEVELOPMENT, REPRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF HONEY BEE (APIS MELLIFERA L.)

A. Thrasyvoulou, V. Liolios, C. Tananaki, Zh. Radev

Abstract: The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of the nutritive value of pollen on the development, reproduction and productivity of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.). The pollen collected in different periods of the year has a different protein value for honeybees. The protein content in the examined samples through the season ranged from 13.88% to 25.02%, and the average value was 19.45%. In spring providing pollen with an average protein content of 24.35%, bee colonies can maintain a high level of reproduction and development, whereas during autumn, when the average is 15.57%, reproduction and development of colonies is reduced. During the period, when flowering plants provide pollen with protein content of 23.60%, honey and pollen productivity are higher, than period provide pollen with 16.24% protein content, although in which time the bee colonies had built wax foundation combs and reared the greatest amount of brood. There is relationship between the nutritional value of pollen and the development, reproduction and productivity of bee colonies.

Keywords: Apis mellifera; Belozem; development; nutritive value of pollen; productivity; reproduction

Date published: 2019-04-19