The Effect of Pollen Supplementary Feeding on the Production of Honeybee (Apis mellifera) During Dearth Periods Under Haro Sabu Condition of Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

To have the required colony population, feeding the colony is very crucial when there is a shortage of bee flora in the environment. The aim of this study is, therefore, to test the effect of pollen supplementary feeding during dearth period (2015/16 to 2016/17) at apiary site of Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center of Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia. Three treatments namely: Chick pea (Cicer arietinum), Mung bean (Vigna radiata) and Soybean (Glycine max) each with four replication by Completely Randomized Design was used. From the result, all the fed types consumed by the bee colonies and they were more consumed during dry season than rainy. Statistically, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) observed between the given fed group. From the internal data recorded, the colonies which fed different supplementary pulse flour invests more than the unfed group. Therefore, it can be concluded that, giving pollen supplementary feeding at the time of dearth period maintains the strength of bee colony within the hive and attain to the next natural pollen and nectar flow season.

Keywords: Chick pea, Colonies, Mung bean, Pollen, Soya bean,

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-9-01

Publication date:May 31^st 2019