The investigation of quality features of Turkish commercial honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.) in different seasons

dc.contributor.authorAkturk, Salim
dc.contributor.authorSekeroglu, Ahmet
dc.contributor.authorOkuyan, Samet
dc.contributor.authorAkdeniz, Goekhan
dc.contributor.authorArici, Yeliz Kasko
dc.contributor.authorSolmaz, Serhat
dc.contributor.authorCakici, Neslihan
dc.date.accessioned2024-11-07T13:32:38Z
dc.date.available2024-11-07T13:32:38Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.departmentNiğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractThe quality of queen bees plays a crucial role in colony losses and overall productivity. However, there is a lack of studies utilizing commercially available queen bees with a substantial sample size. This study aims to address this research gap by assessing the quality attributes of queens sold in Turkiye and investigating the influence of season and breeds on these attributes. Anonymously obtained from 15 different queen producers across five regions in three different seasons, queens were evaluated, based on reproductive criteria. In addition to these queen producers, we also included queens from Apiculture Research Institute, in which this study was conducted. Weight features and dissection characteristics were found to be influenced by the time period and ecotypes. This study examined the average diameter of the spermatheca, with measurements of 1.148 mm in April-May, 1.109 mm in July, and 1.115 mm in September. The average overall sperm count recorded was approximately 4.086 million. It is considered that this number is adequate and could be further improved by applying elements such as optimal location selection, drone cultivation, and correct and thorough implementation of the production method. While this study revealed multiple advantages of Yigilca Ecotype queen bees, the findings did not establish a substantial advantage over other breeds to recommend their widespread usage in beekeeping enterprises. To make definitive suggestions, it is crucial to conduct similar research over multiple years and assess colony growth in regions favored by migratory beekeepers during winter. The findings of this study provide valuable information about the quality of available queens from different regions and ecotypes in different seasons, aiding beekeepers in making informed decisions when purchasing queen bees. Additionally, the research offers valuable insights for queen bee producers, assisting in the timing of queen bee rearing operations based on specific regions and ecotypes.
dc.description.sponsorshipGeneral Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy (TAGEM) [TAGEM/HAYSUD/U/21/ A4/ P5/3851]
dc.description.sponsorshipThis article is based on the findings of the research, which was financially supported by General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy (TAGEM), with the project number of TAGEM/HAYSUD/U/21/ A4/ P5/3851
dc.identifier.doi10.21162/PAKJAS/23.37
dc.identifier.endpage226
dc.identifier.issn0552-9034
dc.identifier.issn2076-0906
dc.identifier.issue2
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-85165250319
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ3
dc.identifier.startpage219
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.21162/PAKJAS/23.37
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11480/15532
dc.identifier.volume60
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001024791700004
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ3
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniv Agriculture, Fac Veterinary Science
dc.relation.ispartofPakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_20241106
dc.subjectDissection
dc.subjectbreeds
dc.subjectmigratory beekeeper
dc.subjectsperm count
dc.subjectseason
dc.titleThe investigation of quality features of Turkish commercial honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.) in different seasons
dc.typeArticle

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