“Studies on the selection of Apis mellifera colonies for various hive characters in low hills of Himachal Pradesh”
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Date
2021-10-14
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College of Horticulture and Forestry Neri, Hamirpur (H.P.)
Abstract
Present studies on the selection of Apis mellifera colonies for various hive characters in low hills of Himachal
Pradesh were accomplished in the apiary of COHF, Neri, Hamirpur. Experiments conducted on the better hive
performing Apis mellifera colonies under low hill conditions revealed that most extreme number of bee population
was found in the month of May (4.75 to 9.88 bee frames), whereas in the month of March, the brood area was found
maximal (2.25 to 8.25 bee frames). Colony number C-21 (2841±175.16 cm²) stored paramount of pollen stores,
while colony number C-1 hoarded substantial amount of honey i.e. 911.00±188.82g/colony. Under hygienic
behaviour, colony number C-17 cleaned 84±5.66 per cent of brood and revealed most extreme. Per cent removal of
degree of mite infestation obtained was greatest in C-20 i.e. 48.63±2.25 % on the basis of ranking acquired by
various colonies as for honey bee population, brood area, pollen stores, honey stores, hygienic behaviour and degree
of mite infestation was assessed and better hive performing colonies was chosen. Studies on the seasonal variations
in hive data of different A. mellifera colonies evidensed that on the basis of z score values of different traits, the
seasonal variations in hive data of 25 A. mellifera colonies was obtained by using selection index (Isel.). The z score
value of ability to winter (za) was attained greatest in C-19 (197.97), colony number C-18 (66.66) obtained
maximum number of spring build-up, whereas, z score of first honey flow showed best results in colony number C18
(64.95). Among economic traits, the z score value of honey stores was utmost in colony number C-1, C-2, C-4,
C-7, C-10, C-12, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, C-19, C-20, C-21, C-23 and C-25 (73.40), respectively, although colony
number C-4, C-8, C-10, C-14, C-20, C-21 and C-22 (73.12) stored maximum amount of pollen stores. Under
resistance traits, i.e. hygienic behaviour, the maximum number of z score values was revealed by colony number C3,
C-5, C-8, C-12, C-17, C-19, C-20, C-21 and C-24 (71.91). However, degree of mite infestation was abundant in
colony number C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-13 (-64.79). Top five colonies C-12, C-18, C-15, C-10 and C-13 having
selection index values of 1327.20, 1276.64, 1110.72, 1085.56 and 812.64 with all these desirable traits can be used
for raising quality queen rearing