Population and Production development of colonies of Apis mellifera l. in Glycine max (L.) Merr. crop

FAGÚNDEZ, G.; BLETTLER, D.; TROSSERO, A. Y FERNÁNDEZ, E.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; 42º Congreso Internacional de Apicultura. Apimondia.; 2011

Apimondia -SADA

POPULATION AND PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT OF COLONIES OF APIS MELLIFERA L. IN CULTURE OF GLYCINE MAX (L.) MERR. Fagúndez, G.1; Blettler, D.1; Trossero, A.1; Fernández, E.2 1Laboratory of Modern Palynology. CICyTTP-CONICET/FCyT-UADER ? Dr. Materi y España, E3105BWA Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina. Tel/fax: ++54 343 4983086/7 E-mail: guillermina_fagundez@yahoo.com.ar 2 Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary. University of Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. Route 36 km 601, X5804BYA. Tel: ++54 358 4676206. E-mail: efernandez@ayv.unrc.edu.ar   The soybean (Glycine max) is the crop that has mostly improved in Argentina in recent years. However, studies on the interaction of Apis mellifera with this species are virtually nonexistent in Argentina. This fact is possibly due to the high use of chemicals that often accompanies the cultivation. As part of a project to evaluate the effect of pollination by Apis mellifera on yield and grain quality of soybean, the development of 36 hives in to a batch of 23 hectares of crop was analyzed. The experiment was carried in Oro Verde (Entre Rios, Argentina), from 22/12/2010, one week before the start of flowering until 27/01/2011 (end of flowering). Hives, at the beginning of the experience, were classified as category I (SENASA-Revalidation ISAs 2010), maintaining this category throughout the study period without supplementary feeding of any kind. After the experience were recorded increases in the population of bees / hive (≈4000 bees 25%), in the area covered with honey (53%), and in the area covered with pollen (106%); and decreases in the area with drones (34%) and in total cells with pups (20%). The average yield of honey from the hives was 21 kg, with values ​​between 6 and 44 kg. An intense activity of bees in the cultivation was observed and quantified, collecting both pollen and nectar, especially at times near noon. The average percentage value of soybean pollen in honey was 15%. The values ​​found evidence an interest by the bees in this species, however, this relatively low contribution recorded in this experiment could be due, among other factors, to the simultaneous flowering of other species attractive to bees present near the study area. Yield components and grain quality under the pollination action of Apis mellifera are awaiting evaluation because it has not ended the growing season.