Without the utilization of synthetic pesticides to restrict pests and pathogens under control, research from Pennsylvania state university, led by entomologists, believe similar results can be archived by organically managed colonies to those that use conventional methods, Penn state informs in a press release.
A study explains how a longitudinal experiment indicate organically managed honey bee colonies are as reproductive and healthy as those conventionally managed, published in the journal scientific report.
Three management systems were compared with regard to the performance of honey bee, by researchers. This is the first successful research in demonstrating the organic management of honey bees can yield quality honey production with an above average honey bee survival rate.
Robyn Underwood, lead author of the study, and Penn state extension’s apiculture extension educator, indicated management of honey bee colonies are vital in supporting bees in coping with hurdles such as diseases, pests, exposure to pesticides and nutrition deficiency.
A key aspect of honey bee health is “beekeeping management”, as it helps to ease the negative elements effects by these stressors. In a press release, Underwood informs that supplemental feeding can ease a dearth of flowering plans for foraging, and control pests such as Varroa mites, by the utilization of mechanical, cultural and chemical control methods.
Even with the beekeeper’s assistance, 30% or more honey bee colonies in the US succumb each winter, with Pennsylvania experiencing higher than average rate of 40%.
The lack of research done on organic bee keeping is mostly attributes to the certification requirements for products. Indicated by Margarita Lopez – Uribe, an associate professor of entomology and co – author of the study. Lopez – Uribe went on to say that evaluating the complications of beekeeping management and decisions in regard to beekeeping is what existing studies have mostly concentrated on. However, the latest study users a system approach to help us better evaluate the long – term – trade – offs, between the various practices.
A system approach is similar to the reality of day – to – day beekeeping rather than narrowly focused studies, and nothing is done in isolation.
The studies conducted over a three – year period, monitoring the colonies, recording survival over winter, measuring honey production, keeping track of pesticides, pathogens and the expressions of immunity regulating genes indicating honey bee health, resulted in both organic and conventional systems enhanced overwinter honey bee survival, by more than 180% in comparison to chemical – free management. Over the three years, the increase in the total honey production enhanced in both organic and conventional methods by 118 and 102 percent, respectively.
Inconclusion, the study reveals that survival rate and honey production has no significant difference in organic and conventional systems.
