Weight of Honeybee Colonies in Relation with Honey Production under Minia Governorate conditions

Abstract

This research was an attempt to find an easy method for beekeeper to predict honey production in the season. Honeybee colonies and empty hives were weighted during the flowering period of anise and Egyptian clover, which considered as main honey crops in Minia region, Egypt Governorate during 2019 and 2020 seasons. Results showed as increase in colony weights during anise flowering period with 12 days interval from 10.500 to 14.014kg in 2019 and from 10.300 to 13.790 kg in 2020. Honey production reached 2.861 kg and 2.944 kg in 2019 and 2020 per colony, respectively. The same results were recorded in the flowering periods of Egyptian clover but the increases of colonies weight were higher in the two seasons. The Egypt clover honey reached 5.199 kg /colony at the end of the flowering seasons of 2019 and 2020 where colony weight increased from 11.375 to 15.048kg in 2019 and from 11.217 to 14.648 kg in 2020 per colony.