<p>The European honey bee (<i>Apis mellifera ligustica</i> L.) is the most managed honey bee species in the world. Its population is declining due to multiple stressors, including nutritional deficiencies, climate variability, parasites, and diseases. Enhancing colony survival and productivity is therefore critical for sustainable agriculture. This study investigated the effects of organic acid supplementation on brood survivorship and productivity parameters (honey yield, royal jelly production, and pollen collection) in <i>A. mellifera ligustica</i> under field conditions. The supplementation of citric acid and malic acid was individually tested to investigate their effects on the development of brood survivorship. In the productivity experiments, honey bees were supplemented with citric acid, malic acid, and inulin at different doses per hive. Results indicated that the supplementation of citric acid at 1&#xa0;g/hive significantly increased honey yield, royal jelly production, and pollen collection. Malic acid, when applied at a concentration of 5&#xa0;g/hive, significantly increased the production of both honey and royal jelly. While inulin had no effect on honey yield, it significantly increased royal jelly production at 1&#xa0;g and 10&#xa0;g/hive. Supplementation of citric acid at doses of 1&#xa0;g and 10&#xa0;g/hive significantly enhanced bee brood survivorship, with low <i>K</i>-values, indicating reduced developmental stress. Overall, citric acid supplementation showed the greatest potential to enhance both survival and productivity in honey bee colonies, offering a promising strategy to support colony health and performance under field conditions.</p>

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The impact of organic acid dietary supplementation on survival and productivity in European honey bees

  • Sabrina Diana Blanco,
  • Lekhnath Kafle

摘要

The European honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica L.) is the most managed honey bee species in the world. Its population is declining due to multiple stressors, including nutritional deficiencies, climate variability, parasites, and diseases. Enhancing colony survival and productivity is therefore critical for sustainable agriculture. This study investigated the effects of organic acid supplementation on brood survivorship and productivity parameters (honey yield, royal jelly production, and pollen collection) in A. mellifera ligustica under field conditions. The supplementation of citric acid and malic acid was individually tested to investigate their effects on the development of brood survivorship. In the productivity experiments, honey bees were supplemented with citric acid, malic acid, and inulin at different doses per hive. Results indicated that the supplementation of citric acid at 1 g/hive significantly increased honey yield, royal jelly production, and pollen collection. Malic acid, when applied at a concentration of 5 g/hive, significantly increased the production of both honey and royal jelly. While inulin had no effect on honey yield, it significantly increased royal jelly production at 1 g and 10 g/hive. Supplementation of citric acid at doses of 1 g and 10 g/hive significantly enhanced bee brood survivorship, with low K-values, indicating reduced developmental stress. Overall, citric acid supplementation showed the greatest potential to enhance both survival and productivity in honey bee colonies, offering a promising strategy to support colony health and performance under field conditions.