Abstract:
Genetic parameters were estimated in a base and clo
sed population of Iranian honeybee
colonies. Data were obtained on 500-700 Iranian nat
ive population of honeybee colonies
(honeybee breeding project in central region of Ira
n) subject to 9 successive generation of
selection. These populations had been selected for
honey production, swarming behavior,
and defense behavior. Heritability of honey product
ion, swarming behavior, and defense
behavior were 0.22, 0.34, and 0.44, respectively. P
henotypic and genetic correlations
between honey production with swarming tendency and
defense behavior were -0.16, -
0.59, and 0.21, 0.48, respectively. Phenotypic and
genetic correlations between swarming
and defense behavior were -0.52 and -0.67 respectiv
ely. The genetic and phenotypic trends
of swarming behavior, defense behavior, and honey p
roduction in the honeybee colonies
during the 1999-2009 were desirable. Lower heritabi
lity of honey production and its
higher dependence on apiary management and environm
ental or climatic factors caused
lower improvement of honey production in breeding p
lans.
Keywords:
Breeding, Defense behavior, Honey production,
Iran
,
Swarming behavior
.
