Genetic Progress Achieved during 10 Years of Selective Breeding for Honeybee Traits of Interest to the Beekeeping Industry

Abstract

Genetic improvement programs have resulted in spectacular productivity gains for most animal species in recent years. The introduction of quantitative genetics and the use of statistical models have played a fundamental role in achieving these advances. For the honeybee (Apis mellifera), genetic improvement programs are still rare worldwide. Indeed, genetic and reproductive characteristics are more complex in honeybees than in other animal species, which presents additional challenges for access genetic selection. In recent years, advances in informatics have allowed statistical modelling of the honeybee, notably with the BLUP-animal model, and access to genetic selection for this species is possible now. The aim of this project was to present the genetic progress of several traits of interest to the Canadian beekeeping industry (hygienic behavior, honey production and spring development) achieved in our selection program since 2010. Our results show an improvement of 0.30% per year for hygienic behavior, 0.63 kg per year for honey production and 164 brood cells per year for spring development. These advances have opened a new era for our breeding program and sharing this superior genetic available to beekeepers will contribute to the sustainability and self-sufficiency of the beekeeping industry in Canada.

Observation of Genetic Gain with Instrumental Insemination of Honeybee Queens

“…The choice of the group of drone-producing colonies also depends on the size of the groups. Indeed, the UL-CRSAD selection program requires a minimum of 6 drone-producing colonies for optimal fertilization of virgin queens produced during the season [ 10 , 35 ]. In 2018, 6 colonies were selected for drone production and the selection index of the mother colony was 104.3.…”

“…Colonies were then randomly and equally distributed in two different apiaries. These apiaries were situated within a radius of 40 km of our research center UL-CRSAD and at least 3 km apart from each other in a similar agricultural environment with the same potential honey production [ 10 ]. These colonies were managed for honey production, and their performance was evaluated during summer (the year following their conception, in 2019 and 2020, respectively).…”

“…Statistical tests to measure breeding values and selection indices were conducted using ASReml-R software (ver. 4.1.0.143, VSNi Inc., 237 England, UK) with the database containing the performance associated with colonies in our breeding program and described in Maucourt et al, 2021 [ 10 ]. All dependent variables were tested for normality using the Skewness and Kurtosis test, and no Box–Cox power transformations were required to meet the assumptions of model normality.…”

“…This statistical method can improve the selection response by up to 63% in some animal production programs [ 6 ]. Beekeeping selection programs based on this model have also demonstrated significant improvement for several zootechnical colony traits, such as honey production and aggressiveness [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Creation of a Biobank of the Sperm of the Honey Bee Drones of Different Subspecies of <em>Apis mellifera</em> L. Using a Honey Extender

“…During the natural spread of the honey bee Apis mellifera L., it formed various subspecies and ecotypes adapted to specific climatic zones [18,19]. In addition to naturally occurring subspecies, work is being carried out to develop various breeding stocks and lines that differ in terms of their economically useful traits [20][21][22][23]. Due to human economic activity, the boundaries between subspecies began to blur, and some subspecies were absorbed by others [24,25].…”