Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute

2 University of Tehran, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

3 Nuclear Agriculture Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute

Abstract

Introduction: The protein quality of honey bee diet affects the growth and performance of the colony. This research was conducted with the aim of studying the effects of gamma irradiated pollen nutrition on bee colony performance. Methods: 32 bee hives were grouped for 4 treatments and 8 repetitions. The experimental treatments were 1- diet without pollen, 2- diet containing raw pollen, 3- diet containing gamma irradiated pollen, 4- diet containing Microfeed protein supplement. Functional characteristics of the colony include the extent of queen spawning, the number of population frames, the weight and body composition of nurse bees, the level of malondialdehyde and the antioxidant capacity of the body, hygienic behavior, the level of Nosema parasite contamination, The microbial population of the digestive tract, the growth of acini glands, Vitellogenin gene expression, diet digestibility were determined.The data were analyzed in the form of a completely randomized design. Result: the use of gamma irradiated bee pollen by increasing the digestibility and removing parasitic contamination caused an increase in colony performance, health behavior and health of the digestive tract, increased vitellogenin gene expression, and increased bee body weight at the time of birth. Discussion: The use of gamma irradiated pollen plays an important role in controlling the parasitic infection of the hive and increasing its performance.

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