Enhancing the productivity of honey bee colonies through the use of an immunomodulator
Abstract
Providing honey bees with a diet enriched with biogenic metal compounds reduces the risk of infectious diseases, enhances resistance, improves the queen’s reproductive capacity, and strengthens colonies. This study aimed to examine colony strength, productivity, brood development, and honey quality when using an immunomodulator. Colony strength was higher with the immunomodulator by 8.3% on 10 May, 7.1% on 15 May, 6.3% on 25 May, and 5.6% on 5 June. Pollen collection significantly increased by 11.9% on 10 May, 28.4% on 15 May (P < 0.05), 17.7% on 25 May (P < 0.05), and 32.2% on 5 June (P < 0.05). Brood development increased by 5.3% on 10 May, 11.92% on 15 May, 19.6% on 25 May (P < 0.05), and 23.4% on 5 June (P < 0.05). Queens’ live weight increased by 1.8% on 10 May, 2.5% on 15 May, 4.5% on 25 May, and 5.15% on 5 June in groups receiving the immunomodulator. When an immunomodulator was used for winter feeding, colony strength increased by 9.6%, honey production by 5.1%, pollen volume by 20.4%, brood quantity by 35.3%, and queens’ live weight by 9.4% compared to the control. In October, colony strength increased by 18.7% (P < 0.05), honey production by 2%, pollen volume by 30.1%, and brood quantity by 50% in the experimental groups. The total honey weight increased by 14.4% and centrifuged honey by 15.5%. The use of the immunomodulator resulted in high quality honey, including a 20.9% increase in diastase activity and a 9.8% reduction in moisture content. A positive effect on the microscopic profile was noted, with increased adhesive and phagocytic activity of haemocytes against pathogens and an overall rise in immune cell count in bees. The practical significance of the study lies in enhancing the immune defences and productivity of honey bee colonies while ensuring high-quality and safe honey production
Keywords
immunomodulator; honey bee colony strength; honey yield; brood; queens live weight; pollen; honey quality
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