STUDIES ON SOME FACTORS AFFECTING ROYAL JELLY PRODUCTION OF HONEYBEE COLONIES, Apis mellifera L.

Salem, Mohammad A.A. Salem A.A.; Yousif, S. I.; El Shakaa, S. M.A.; Abd Alla, S. M.

doi:10.21608/zjar.2021.191284

STUDIES ON SOME FACTORS AFFECTING ROYAL JELLY PRODUCTION OF HONEYBEE COLONIES, Apis mellifera L.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Protect. Dept., Fac. Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt.

10.21608/zjar.2021.191284

Abstract

A study was conducted in a private apiary located at El Mahala Elkobra, Gharbia to assess the impact of bee hybrid, supplemental feeding and the strength of production unit (bee colony) on royal jelly production in addition, queen cup material, age of grafted bee larva and royal jelly harvest interval were also taken in consideration. The results clear that the highest royal jelly production was attained when grafting one day old larvae. However, the differences between Carniolan and Italian hybrids in royal jelly production was insignificant. In addition, stronger colonies yielded higher royal jelly production than weaker ones in both honeybee hybrids. Using queen cups of honeybee wax produced the highest royal jelly yield followed by bee wax coated plastic cups, whereas plastic cups came in the last class. Regarding the effect of supplemental feeding (AD3E, Vit.B complex, Amino) in syrup and in patty, it is clear that AD3E induced the highest effect on royal jelly production, follow by Amino then Vit. B complex. Offering the additives in syrup was more potent than in patty the highest royal jelly yield was gained when harvesting process was made at 3 days post grafting. Mean while severe reduction in royal jelly yield was dectected when harvesting was taken place at 4 days post grafting.

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