Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Abstract

Systematic data collection and evaluation are crucial for honey bee breeding programs to ensure fair comparisons and informed selection decisions. Objective methods assess colony performance based on traits such as productivity, behavior, and health. Genetic ties between apiaries, achieved through distribution of sister queens and drones, enable comparisons across diverse environments. Reliable breeding value estimation, the foundation of genetic improvement, requires meticulous recordkeeping and robust databases. Tools like the BeeBreed database facilitate data traceability, performance testing, and prediction of genetic outcomes. By combining structured breeding systems, standardized recordkeeping, and advanced analytical tools, breeding programs can achieve sustained genetic progress and adaptability.

Breeding value estimation in honey bee breeding utilizes best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP), enabling genetic improvement by adjusting for environmental effects and analyzing performance data from various sources. Traits such as honey production and varroa resistance are assessed based on heritability, which influences genetic progress. Systematic selection of elite queens, combining multiple traits and considering correlations, ensures sustainable improvement. Controlled mating through mating stations or instrumental insemination disseminates superior genes while managing inbreeding risks. Genomic selection, incorporating SNP analysis, enhances accuracy in breeding value estimation for polygenic traits, revolutionizing honey bee breeding by enabling precise trait selection and accelerating genetic advancements.

Keywords

Breeding program; Genetic selection; BLUP; Record keeping; Breeding value

Published in

Title: Sustainable Honey Bee Breeding: A Scientific Guide for Future Beekeeping
Publisher: Springer Cham

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics and Breeding in Agricultural Sciences

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-94204-4_7
  • ISBN: 978-3-031-94203-7
  • eISBN: 978-3-031-94204-4

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/144398