The Standardization of the Honeybee Colonies Evaluation Methodology, with Application in Honeybee Breeding Programs, in Romanian Conditions

Abstract

It is well known that breeding is based on phenotypic and behavioural performance assessed at the level of each honeybee colony. By selection, the genes responsible for the desired characters have to be favoured, by evaluation and classification of all colonies involved in a breeding program. Generally, in the beekeeping practice, the most applied method of selection is the mass selection regarding the main objective- honey production. Some more elaborated programs use selection simultaneous selection on several characters. Until now, a standard method for honey bees evaluation and selection on several characters could not be generalized, every breeder establishing the selection method depending on proposed goals which could be different especially when we speak about different races and environmental conditions. Taking into account the selection objectives in Romania it was conceived a standardized methodology for the selection on several characters in Romanian condition

Keywords

• breeding programs
• traits
• honeybee
• selection
• standardization