Monitoring agrometeorological factors and beehive weight during sunflower (Helianthus annuus) flowering
2023
Atanasov, Atanas | Hristakov, Ivaylo | Dochev, Veselin
The impact of local agrometeorological factors on beehive changing weight during sunflower (Helianthus annuus) flowering was monitored. The study was conducted in 2021 growing season in a hilly flat area with predominant agricultural crops. The location of the experimental apiary is 43º32’4.02”N and 25º45’14.10”E at an altitude of 223 m. The experimental apiary consisted of 122 bee colonies housed in DadantBlatt hives. The bees are of the species (Apis mellifera macedonica). The total number of fields sown with sunflower was 6. All sunflower fields were located within a radius of the bees’ optimal flight area. During the experiment there were observed the outside air temperature (Tair), 0ºC and air humidity (Hair)%, atmospheric pressure (Ap) hPa, soil moisture (Sm), % at 20 cm depth, soil temperature (St), ºC at 10 cm depth, solar radiation (Sr) W·mE−2, wind speed (Ws), m·sE−1, precipitated rainfall (R), l·mE−2. Also the air temperature inside (Tin) the hive was measured. The nectar flow is determined based on the changes in hive weight (Y). The real-time data were available via a web-based application Meteobot®. The results show that there is a significant positive correlation between Y and honey harvesting date D, honey harvesting time per day T, Tair, St, Ap. The other weather indicators as Hair, Sm Ws Dp, and Tin are negatively correlated with Y. The indicator Sr is not correlated with Y. The monitoring of the agrometeorological factors and beehive weight during sunflower flowering will help the beekeepers determine the suitable moment for expanding the capacity of the hive and honey extracting.
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Bibliographic information
Publisher Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
ISSN 1691-5976This bibliographic record has been provided by Fundamental Library of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies