2021 BreedWatch

The aim of the project is to optimize breeding selection with the help of sensors in honey bees to improve bee health and productivity. The varroa mite introduced from Asia is currently one of the biggest problems in beekeeping. If left untreated, this parasitosis usually leads to the death of bee colonies. The control is mainly carried out with chemical agents, in organic beekeeping with less selective organic acids and essential oils, which on the one hand affects the vitality of the colonies, and on the other hand burdens the entire beekeeping industry with recurring costs for resources and labor. The approach of "prevention through breeding for selection traits", such as varroa-sensitive hygienic behavior (VSH) and low varroa reproduction (SMR), is of decisive economic importance here and thus has a leverage effect for the sustainable relief of the entire beekeeping industry. However, successful breeding work and the associated breeding value assessment in honey bees requires solid specialist knowledge and time-intensive commitment on the part of the breeder. Regular intensive checks by the breeder to assess the condition of the respective breeding colony are also necessary, but detrimental to the health of the colony. The use of sensor technology to support breeding selection offers considerable potential to accelerate and improve breeding progress compared to conventional breeding management. The aim of the project is to optimize breeding work by identifying objective indicators through AI-supported data exploration. To this end, breeding colonies are continuously monitored by sensors and correlated with the breeding characteristics recorded by the breeder. In addition to general parameters such as colony strength and development, VSH, SMR, swarming tendency and winter brood tendency are examined in order to enable improved breeding progress.

Project management: University of Kassel Department of Agricultural Engineering

Responsible: Dr. Sascha Kirchner

Project partner: Bioland beekeeping Ivan Curic

Funding: Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE)