Vol. 11, Special Issue 9 (2022)

Author(s):
Simran Bhatia, Kiran Rana, Meena Thakur, Neha Negi, Sawraj Jit Singh, Archie Dogra, Ojas Chauhan and Monika

Abstract:
This investigation is aimed to evaluate the influence of hive volume on the brood area, honey production, pollen stores as well as bee strength during July 2020 to June 2021 in sub temperate region of Himachal Pradesh, India. Five treatments viz., Modified BIS type A hive of 20 L, 5 frame hive of 25 L, 6 frame hive of 30 L, 8 frame hive of 33 L and Langstroth hive of 42 L having four replications were used. The colony parameters with respect to brood production, honey and pollen stores were significantly affected by bee strength in different hive volumes. The development of brood (4906.50 cm²), honey production (1740.00 g), pollen stores (1158.00 cm²) as well as bee strength (8.76 bee frames) was recorded maximum for 8-frame (33-liter) as compared to Langstroth hive (10-frame, 42-liter). The supering is required in 8 frame hive in the month of May 2021, whereas supering was not required in 10-frame hive (Langstroth) due to low bee strength (8.31 bee frames in June). Based on performance of colonies in hives with different volumes it can be concluded that 8 frame hive of 33 L was optimum for keeping the existing honey bee species A. mellifera ligustica colonies. It can additionally make a contribution to enhance the honey production in Himachal Pradesh, India.