Honeybee - Honeybee - Completed Projects

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RIRDC Completed Projects in 1999-2000 & Research in Progress as at June 2000
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3.3 Honeybee - Completed Projects

Foreword

PRODUCTION - Bee husbandry and management
Development of a specific aggregation lure for Apis cerana javana (CSE-81A)

PRODUCTION - Nutrition
Crude protein and amino acid levels of pollens collected by honeybees in southern NSW (DAN-134A)

RESOURCES
Floral resource database for the NSW apiary industry (DAN-155A)

A comprehensive study of beekeepers' use of honey and pollen flora resource in Victoria (DAV-109A)

POLLINATION
Developing a communications and marketing strategy for honeybee crop pollination (DAV-119A)

Non-fungicidal and biological control of core rots in pome fruit (TAR-1A)

Foreword

On 1 July 1995, the former Honeybee Research and Development Council became a committee of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

This publication, Honeybee Research Report 2000, provides details of honeybee research from July 1999 until June 2000 and lists projects commencing in the 2000/2001 financial year. It follows the Honeybee Research and Development Council Research Report 1980-1995 and the RIRDC Reports 1995-1997, 1998 and 1999, which were a collection of final report and progress summaries of levy funded honeybee research until June 1999.

This report provides information to help apiarists and others access research recommendations and research in progress, together with researcher contact details, in a simple, easy to read format.

This report, a new addition to RIRDCs diverse range of almost 400 research publications, forms part of our Honeybee R&D program, which aims to improve the productivity and profitability of the Australian beekeeping industry.

Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/cat/contents.html. Alternatively, there is a RIRDC order form included on the last page of this publication.

Peter Core
Managing Director
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

Project Title	Development of a specific aggregation lure for Apis cerana javana
RIRDC Project No:	CSE-81A
Researcher:	Dr Michael Lacey
Organisation:	CSIRO Entomology Clunies Ross Road ACTON ACT 2601
Phone:	(02) 6246 4021
Fax:	(02) 6246 4000
Email:	Mike.Lacey@ento.csiro.au
Objective	To develop a long-range attractant for the Asian hive bee A. cerana javana from synthetic compounds corresponding to its queen pherome and to incorporate the resulting multicomponent blend into slow release lures for protective monitoring of this exotic pest.
Background	Recent incursions of the Asian hive bee into Darwin and Brisbane heighten the possibility that this pest could establish itself on the Australian mainland. If it were successful, it would seriously damage the honeybee industry by competing aggressively with the European honeybee A. mellifera and by introducing parasitic mites. It would also disrupt pollination, worth over one billion dollars per annum to the economy, and threaten the survival of native bee populations. The development of a species-specific bait would greatly facilitate protective monitoring measures to counter this serious threat to Australia.
Research	A five-component synthetic blend of chemicals based on the queen pheromone of the Asian hive bee strongly attracted its worker bees in laboratory bioassays and field trials in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Torres Strait. The worker bees of the Asian hive bee were not attracted to the synthetic queen pheromone blend for the European honeybee, illustrating that the synthetic lures are species-specific. The synthetic pheromone blend for the Asian hive bee has been incorporated into a slow release dispenser that was found to prevent deterioration of the various components and to prolong their evaporation.
Outcomes	The outcomes will be an increase in the effectiveness of protective monitoring measures and the safeguard of the Australian honeybee industry against this serious competitor.
Implications	The multi-component synthetic pheromone blend within controlled release dispensers is a potent attractant for scout bees of the Asian hive bee and can be incorporated into appropriate artificial nest cavities to lure feral swarms of the pest. It is likely that the Methodology can be adapted for protective monitoring of other Apis species, such as the giant honeybee A. dorsata, that threaten Australia’s rural industries.
Publications	None to date

Project Title Crude protein, amino acid and fat levels of pollens collected by honeybees primarily in southern NSW.

RIRDC Project No: DAN 134A

Researcher: Doug Somerville

Organisation: NSW Agriculture
PO Box 389
Goulburn NSW 2580

Phone: (02) 4828 6619

Fax: (02) 4822 3261

Email: doug.somerville@agric.nsw.gov.au

Objective To trap and analyse pollens from a range of floral species to determine their nutritional values for amino acids, crude protein and fat levels, as this relates to honeybee dietary requirements. In the process of the study, investigate the possible variation of qualities of pollen originating from the same species with a major focus on Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) pollen.

Background Honeybees require a range of elements to satisfy their nutritional requirements including proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats (lipids), vitamins and water for normal growth and development. Pollen normally satisfies the dietary requirements for proteins, minerals, lipids and vitamins. The proteins are composed of a series of amino acids, 10 of which have been identified as being essential for honeybee nutritional requirements.
Ample protein promotes a high birth rate and long-lived bees, whereas protein deficient conditions minimise the birth levels and length of life of adult bees.
The quality of pollen is paramount to the success of a beekeeper. This research set out to determine the more valuable pollen sources to honeybees with a particular interest in southern NSW.

Research Many hundreds of pollen samples were gathered during the course of the research but, for a range of reasons, only 194 samples were analysed. Samples were tested for nitrogen (crude protein), 17 amino acids and fat percent.
This information was then used to report on the suitability of 61 species of plants, as to the quality of the pollen produced, as it relates to honeybee nutritional requirements.

Outcomes It is apparent from this research that pollen qualities vary within the one species. Each species may fall within one or two groupings, ie, a pollen, when judged by its quality, may be either poor, average, above average, or of excellent quality.
What beekeepers have traditionally observed is that bees may do well on one source of pollen but not on another, also the same source of pollen may not produce the same results increasing populations and brood area each time it becomes available. What is possibly happening is a lack of knowledge on the adult body, crude protein levels, before going onto a new pollen source. Bees with high body, crude protein levels, will remain in reasonable condition and recover quickly if placed on an average pollen source. Whereas bees with very low body crude protein levels, (eg, coming off sunflowers) will run down very quickly if placed on a medium to heavy honey flow with average quality pollen support. Recovery of a colony after these circumstances could be as much as four months, to obtain a populous hive ready to work another honey flow.
Armed with the knowledge that different pollen species contain different levels of nutrients, it should be possible for beekeepers to better manage their bees, paying more attention to the ongoing nutrition status of the colony.

Implications Improved productivity, longer lived queens and workers, drones with high fertility and lower potential disease risks are all possible implications from beekeepers incorporating the knowledge of this research into their management strategies.

Publications Somerville, DC (2000). "Crude protein, amino acid and fat levels of pollens collected by honeybees primarily in southern NSW". Final Report: DAN-134A for the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation. NSW Agriculture, Goulburn, NSW.
Somerville, DC; Peasley, W (1996). "Eucalyptus pollens and their value to honeybee nutrition". Proceedings: 3rd Asian Apicultural Association Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam (In Press). 6–10th October 1996.
Somerville, DC (1997). "Value of pollens collected from agricultural crops". Proceedings: Crop Pollination Association Inc., 5th Annual Conference, Tatura, and Victoria. 14–15 October 1999.

Project Title Floral resource database for the NSW apiary industry

RIRDC Project No: DAN 155A

Researcher: Doug Somerville

Organisation: NSW Agriculture
PO Box 389
Goulburn NSW 2580

Phone: (02) 4828 6619

Fax: (02) 4822 3261

Email: doug.somerville@agric.nsw.gov.au

Objective To create a database of floral resource information for the NSW apiary industry.

Background Floral resources are the basis of the Australian beekeeping industry but there is increasing pressure on the beekeeping industry from:
· reduced physical resources due to forestry, land clearing, urban expansion, firewood
cutting and biological control of weed species;
· reduced health of vegetation due to lack of regular flooding of western rivers, dieback, salt inundation, drought and fire;
· Policy adverse to the farming of honeybees on National Park estate, Water Board and State recreation areas.
A Honeybee Research and Development Council national workshop, held in Canberra in 1989 advocated documentation of the floral resources on which the beekeeping industry is dependent in each state.

Research Beekeepers with 200 or more hives registered with NSW Agriculture were surveyed for the purpose of collecting information on floral species of major importance to the beekeeping industry, including data on honey and pollen values, land tenure, location of sites, frequency of flowering and flowering period. Information was also collected on number of hives, nucleus colonies, yield per hive, total number of bee sites on various land tenures, persons employed and gross income distribution.
Three mailings were conducted, these were also supported by interviews of some non-respondents. A total response of 81% was achieved. The total number of hives for all beekeepers surveyed was approximately 200,000 hives. Average honey yields per hive per year was 89.4 kg. There were 23,479 bee sites: 5,365 State Forests; 412 National Parks & Wildlife Service; 749 Crown Lands; 2,972 Rural Lands Protection Board and 13,981 for private properties.

Outcomes The results obtained give a clear picture of the significant floral resources of NSW as they relate to the beekeeping industry. This information will be used to illustrate the floral species of major importance on each land tenure and the characteristics of those floral resources as far as beekeeping activities are concerned.

Implications The report will be readily used by new and existing beekeepers to assist them in their decision-making processes and help minimise poor decision making and costly management strategies. The information collected can also be utilised by various land managers and land use planners to take beekeeping requirements into consideration.
The information will also be of considerable benefit to those in the scientific community studying nectarivores and/or the general flowering characteristics of a range of floral species in the NSW landscape.

Publications Floral resource database for the NSW apiary industry by Doug Somerville, RIRDC Publication No. 99/174

Project Title A comprehensive study of beekeepers’ use of honey and pollen flora resources in Victoria

RIRDC Project No: DAV 109A

Researcher: Mr Russell Goodman

Organisation: Institute for Horticultural Development
Agriculture Victoria
Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Phone: 03 9210 9222

Fax: 03 9800 3521

Email: russell.goodman@nre.vic.gov.au

Objectives
· To identify apiary sites on public land in Victoria
· To list nectar and pollen resources at each site and link these to the production of honey and other apiary products
· To identify those sites which are currently under-utilised by apiarists and identify areas which may have a potential for beekeeping.

Background The viability of the apiary industry depends on apiarists’ continued access to nectar and pollen yielding flora. Apiarists may move their hives up to seven times per year to take advantage of flowering plants. While not owning the sites and not using them all each year, commercial apiarists hold a high number of sites as insurance against the spasmodic flowering of many Eucalypt species.
The apiary industry is heavily dependant on public land because it contains the majority of remaining native forest on which the industry is so reliant. In Victoria, beekeeping is permitted in designated public land apiary sites located in State forests, parks and reserves including selected National Parks, and other public land provided the appropriate licence or permit fee is paid.
In 1989, the Honeybee Research and Development Committee convened a national workshop to discuss the effects of honeybees on the Australian environment and the industry’s continued access to the nectar and pollen resource. One major recommendation of the workshop was that each State should conduct a survey to determine industry’s use and value of apiary sites.

Research Survey questionnaires seeking information on public land and private apiary site
usage were designed, trialed in cooperation with the Victorian Apiarists’
Association Inc. and then amended before a full mail-out to all Victorian apiarists
owning 50 or more beehives registered with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
A total of 170 (40.5%) of 420 apiarists mailed survey forms responded to the
survey. Of the respondents, 155 apiarists (91%) provided useful data. The
remainder having retired from the industry or only recently commenced
beekeeping and so therefore, unable to provide useful information.
Information supplied by respondents was entered in a Microsoft Access computer
database specially designed for the purpose. Apiarists supplied information
about important honey and pollen flora, apiary site location, frequency of site use,
crop pollination, production of honey, pollen and queen honeybees.

Outcomes The results of the survey:
· provide comprehensive information on species of nectar and pollen producing flora targeted by apiarists throughout Victoria.
· include a ranking as supplied by individual respondents for each species targeted and growing within an area corresponding to a specific Victorian Mapsheet number (grid).
· provide detailed information on apiary sites, their use and significance, pollination plus production of honey, pollen package bees and queen bees.
Respondents were unable to identify areas of the State for possible expansion of the apiary industry in Victoria.

Implications This report will ensure that the Victorian apiary industry will have access to detailed information that demonstrates the value and importance of native nectar and pollen flora for the economic survival of apiary enterprises. The completed survey provides, for the first time, detailed information that the industry may use in submissions to agencies involved in determining the future availability of particular apiary sites.
The information contained in the report will also be useful to public land managers and government agencies when determining the use of public land for apiculture.

Publications Final Report for Project DAV-109A: "A study of beekeepers’ use of honey and pollen resources in Victoria."

Project Title Developing a communication and marketing strategy for honeybee crop pollination services

RIRDC Project No: DAV 119A

Researcher: Russell Goodman

Organisation: Institute for Horticultural Development
Agriculture Victoria
Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Phone: 03 9210 9222

Fax: 03 9800 3521

Email: russell.goodman@nre.vic.gov.au

Objectives
· To improve and promote an effective honeybee crop pollination service by developing a national marketing and communications strategy.
· To develop a technology transfer resource package to enhance the delivery and use of commercial honeybee crop pollination services.

Background Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators of many fruit and seed crops and can be introduced to flowering crops in large numbers to provide optimum fruit or seed set and improved crop production. Many apiarists provide a honeybee crop pollination service to growers on a fee for service basis.
A survey of the delivery and use of honeybee crop pollination services in Victoria in 1995 found that:
· Generally, growers did not understand honeybees, their activities and aspects of honeybee pollination.
· Growers needed more information that was readily accessible and they largely depended on apiarists for advice on pollination. They generally lacked the skills to judge the suitability of a honeybee colony for pollination.
· Many apiarists had a good knowledge of the basics of pollination but some required additional information on pollination in order to me more helpful to growers.
· Growers perceived some apiarists to be unprofessional because they did not have brochures to advertise their pollination service and provide basic information to their clients.
This project was designed to address these issues by developing suitable written
and illustrated material for apiarists and growers.

Research A literature search was conducted to glean information about the pollination of a range of crops.
Brochures were developed in co-operation with grower and apiarist organisations. The latter involved the Crop Pollination Association (Southeastern Australia) and the Pollination Association of Western Australia. Individual providers of honeybee crop pollination services were also extensively consulted.

Project Title Non-fungicidal and biological control of core rots in pome fruit

RIRDC Project No: TAR-1A

Researcher: Mr Chris Archer

Organisation: University of Tasmania – Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research

Phone: (03) 6233 6830

Fax: (03) 6228 5123

Email: Chris.Archer@dpiwe.tas.gov.au

Objectives
· Development of a low cost and efficacious method of management of the core rot disease in susceptible pome fruit varieties.
· An increase in fruit quality by a reduction in the incidence of core rot.
· A decrease in grower production costs through replacement of the four fungicide sprays currently used to control the disease.
· Use of honeybees as a transfer vector for any biological control agents determined during the study (thereby value adding to the honeybee industry by apiarists charging fee for service for use of bees to deliver material to apple blossom during the full bloom period).

Background Core rots (also known as mouldy core) of apples is a major problem for Australian apple growers and exporters. The disease is caused by a complex of fungal pathogens (Alternaria and Pezicula spp. predominate), and results in a zone of rotting tissue around the apple core. The disease develops from infections that occur during flowering but remains latent until after harvest when the apples are held in controlled atmosphere storage. Because of the discrete period (full bloom) and site (senescing apple blossom) at which infection occurs, there is a strong potential for control of the disease by way of competitive or antagonistic biological control agents.

Research Laboratory investigations undertaken as a component of this project have revealed a fungal species that occurs in apple cores but does not cause rots. This fungus (Gliocladium roseum) has been found capable of reducing the incidence of core rots due to Alternaria infections in disease susceptible varieties. A further outcome of this project has been the determination of an inexpensive method for
large scale bulking of the Gliocladium material.

Investigations are being undertaken to determine methods of integrating this organism, as a biological control agent, into conventional orchard management practices used for the control of other diseases (such as powdery mildew). Core rot is promoted in those apple varieties that possess an open sinus, that is, a continuous passage from the calyx into the core region. Within this project an investigation of new apple varieties demonstrated that three varieties (Johnagold, Royal Gala, Sundowner) have the morphology to promote core rot development with two (Johnagold and Sundowner), exhibiting similar levels of rot occurrence to Red Fuji (considered a susceptible variety).
A common difficulty with biological control programs is the method by which a
bio-control agent is delivered to the appropriate site on a plant. For the core rot
pathogens the site of infection is the apple blossom. When using inundative
sprayers there is a significant quantity of material that misses the blossom and is
effectively wasted. What is required, is a method of accurately placing the control
agent in an adequate concentration solely on the flowers. As beehives are normally placed in apple orchards during the full bloom period for the purposes of pollination there is an opportunity to use honeybees as a transfer vector for biological control material to the apple blossom.
Trials conducted in the 1998 season demonstrated bees to be more efficient in the transfer of material to the flowers than high volume inundative spraying. Material transferred by bees, resulted in a similar concentration of biocontrol material at the flowers compared with spraying, however the sprayed material declined rapidly in concentration over time as compared with that transferred by bees. There appear to be no adverse effects on the honeybees from the biological control agent.

Outcomes
· Determination of a fungal species (Gliocladium roseum) capable of reducing the incidence of Alternaria type core rots.
· Established a cost-effective method for bulking the biological control fungi.
· Examined new apple varieties for potential susceptibility to core rot pathogens.
· Established that honeybees have greater efficacy in transferring biological control material than inundative sprayers.

Implications The use of a biological control for Alternaria type core rots in pome fruit provides the opportunity to reduce fungicide applications for disease control. This bio-control fungus needs to be successfully integrated into the conventional orchard management practices of an orchard.

Publications None to date

Project Title	Crude protein, amino acid and fat levels of pollens collected by honeybees primarily in southern NSW.
RIRDC Project No:	DAN 134A
Researcher:	Doug Somerville
Organisation:	NSW Agriculture PO Box 389 Goulburn NSW 2580
Phone:	(02) 4828 6619
Fax:	(02) 4822 3261
Email:	doug.somerville@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objective	To trap and analyse pollens from a range of floral species to determine their nutritional values for amino acids, crude protein and fat levels, as this relates to honeybee dietary requirements. In the process of the study, investigate the possible variation of qualities of pollen originating from the same species with a major focus on Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) pollen.
Background	Honeybees require a range of elements to satisfy their nutritional requirements including proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats (lipids), vitamins and water for normal growth and development. Pollen normally satisfies the dietary requirements for proteins, minerals, lipids and vitamins. The proteins are composed of a series of amino acids, 10 of which have been identified as being essential for honeybee nutritional requirements. Ample protein promotes a high birth rate and long-lived bees, whereas protein deficient conditions minimise the birth levels and length of life of adult bees. The quality of pollen is paramount to the success of a beekeeper. This research set out to determine the more valuable pollen sources to honeybees with a particular interest in southern NSW.
Research	Many hundreds of pollen samples were gathered during the course of the research but, for a range of reasons, only 194 samples were analysed. Samples were tested for nitrogen (crude protein), 17 amino acids and fat percent. This information was then used to report on the suitability of 61 species of plants, as to the quality of the pollen produced, as it relates to honeybee nutritional requirements.
Outcomes	It is apparent from this research that pollen qualities vary within the one species. Each species may fall within one or two groupings, ie, a pollen, when judged by its quality, may be either poor, average, above average, or of excellent quality. What beekeepers have traditionally observed is that bees may do well on one source of pollen but not on another, also the same source of pollen may not produce the same results increasing populations and brood area each time it becomes available. What is possibly happening is a lack of knowledge on the adult body, crude protein levels, before going onto a new pollen source. Bees with high body, crude protein levels, will remain in reasonable condition and recover quickly if placed on an average pollen source. Whereas bees with very low body crude protein levels, (eg, coming off sunflowers) will run down very quickly if placed on a medium to heavy honey flow with average quality pollen support. Recovery of a colony after these circumstances could be as much as four months, to obtain a populous hive ready to work another honey flow. Armed with the knowledge that different pollen species contain different levels of nutrients, it should be possible for beekeepers to better manage their bees, paying more attention to the ongoing nutrition status of the colony.
Implications	Improved productivity, longer lived queens and workers, drones with high fertility and lower potential disease risks are all possible implications from beekeepers incorporating the knowledge of this research into their management strategies.
Publications	Somerville, DC (2000). "Crude protein, amino acid and fat levels of pollens collected by honeybees primarily in southern NSW". Final Report: DAN-134A for the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation. NSW Agriculture, Goulburn, NSW. Somerville, DC; Peasley, W (1996). "Eucalyptus pollens and their value to honeybee nutrition". Proceedings: 3rd Asian Apicultural Association Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam (In Press). 6–10th October 1996. Somerville, DC (1997). "Value of pollens collected from agricultural crops". Proceedings: Crop Pollination Association Inc., 5th Annual Conference, Tatura, and Victoria. 14–15 October 1999.

Project Title	Floral resource database for the NSW apiary industry
RIRDC Project No:	DAN 155A
Researcher:	Doug Somerville
Organisation:	NSW Agriculture PO Box 389 Goulburn NSW 2580
Phone:	(02) 4828 6619
Fax:	(02) 4822 3261
Email:	doug.somerville@agric.nsw.gov.au
Objective	To create a database of floral resource information for the NSW apiary industry.
Background	Floral resources are the basis of the Australian beekeeping industry but there is increasing pressure on the beekeeping industry from: · reduced physical resources due to forestry, land clearing, urban expansion, firewood cutting and biological control of weed species; · reduced health of vegetation due to lack of regular flooding of western rivers, dieback, salt inundation, drought and fire; · Policy adverse to the farming of honeybees on National Park estate, Water Board and State recreation areas. A Honeybee Research and Development Council national workshop, held in Canberra in 1989 advocated documentation of the floral resources on which the beekeeping industry is dependent in each state.
Research	Beekeepers with 200 or more hives registered with NSW Agriculture were surveyed for the purpose of collecting information on floral species of major importance to the beekeeping industry, including data on honey and pollen values, land tenure, location of sites, frequency of flowering and flowering period. Information was also collected on number of hives, nucleus colonies, yield per hive, total number of bee sites on various land tenures, persons employed and gross income distribution. Three mailings were conducted, these were also supported by interviews of some non-respondents. A total response of 81% was achieved. The total number of hives for all beekeepers surveyed was approximately 200,000 hives. Average honey yields per hive per year was 89.4 kg. There were 23,479 bee sites: 5,365 State Forests; 412 National Parks & Wildlife Service; 749 Crown Lands; 2,972 Rural Lands Protection Board and 13,981 for private properties.
Outcomes	The results obtained give a clear picture of the significant floral resources of NSW as they relate to the beekeeping industry. This information will be used to illustrate the floral species of major importance on each land tenure and the characteristics of those floral resources as far as beekeeping activities are concerned.
Implications	The report will be readily used by new and existing beekeepers to assist them in their decision-making processes and help minimise poor decision making and costly management strategies. The information collected can also be utilised by various land managers and land use planners to take beekeeping requirements into consideration. The information will also be of considerable benefit to those in the scientific community studying nectarivores and/or the general flowering characteristics of a range of floral species in the NSW landscape.
Publications	Floral resource database for the NSW apiary industry by Doug Somerville, RIRDC Publication No. 99/174

Project Title	A comprehensive study of beekeepers’ use of honey and pollen flora resources in Victoria
RIRDC Project No:	DAV 109A
Researcher:	Mr Russell Goodman
Organisation:	Institute for Horticultural Development Agriculture Victoria Department of Natural Resources and Environment
Phone:	03 9210 9222
Fax:	03 9800 3521
Email:	russell.goodman@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	· To identify apiary sites on public land in Victoria · To list nectar and pollen resources at each site and link these to the production of honey and other apiary products · To identify those sites which are currently under-utilised by apiarists and identify areas which may have a potential for beekeeping.
Background	The viability of the apiary industry depends on apiarists’ continued access to nectar and pollen yielding flora. Apiarists may move their hives up to seven times per year to take advantage of flowering plants. While not owning the sites and not using them all each year, commercial apiarists hold a high number of sites as insurance against the spasmodic flowering of many Eucalypt species. The apiary industry is heavily dependant on public land because it contains the majority of remaining native forest on which the industry is so reliant. In Victoria, beekeeping is permitted in designated public land apiary sites located in State forests, parks and reserves including selected National Parks, and other public land provided the appropriate licence or permit fee is paid. In 1989, the Honeybee Research and Development Committee convened a national workshop to discuss the effects of honeybees on the Australian environment and the industry’s continued access to the nectar and pollen resource. One major recommendation of the workshop was that each State should conduct a survey to determine industry’s use and value of apiary sites.
Research	Survey questionnaires seeking information on public land and private apiary site usage were designed, trialed in cooperation with the Victorian Apiarists’ Association Inc. and then amended before a full mail-out to all Victorian apiarists owning 50 or more beehives registered with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. A total of 170 (40.5%) of 420 apiarists mailed survey forms responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 155 apiarists (91%) provided useful data. The remainder having retired from the industry or only recently commenced beekeeping and so therefore, unable to provide useful information. Information supplied by respondents was entered in a Microsoft Access computer database specially designed for the purpose. Apiarists supplied information about important honey and pollen flora, apiary site location, frequency of site use, crop pollination, production of honey, pollen and queen honeybees.

Outcomes	The results of the survey: · provide comprehensive information on species of nectar and pollen producing flora targeted by apiarists throughout Victoria. · include a ranking as supplied by individual respondents for each species targeted and growing within an area corresponding to a specific Victorian Mapsheet number (grid). · provide detailed information on apiary sites, their use and significance, pollination plus production of honey, pollen package bees and queen bees. Respondents were unable to identify areas of the State for possible expansion of the apiary industry in Victoria.
Implications	This report will ensure that the Victorian apiary industry will have access to detailed information that demonstrates the value and importance of native nectar and pollen flora for the economic survival of apiary enterprises. The completed survey provides, for the first time, detailed information that the industry may use in submissions to agencies involved in determining the future availability of particular apiary sites. The information contained in the report will also be useful to public land managers and government agencies when determining the use of public land for apiculture.
Publications	Final Report for Project DAV-109A: "A study of beekeepers’ use of honey and pollen resources in Victoria."

Project Title	Developing a communication and marketing strategy for honeybee crop pollination services
RIRDC Project No:	DAV 119A
Researcher:	Russell Goodman
Organisation:	Institute for Horticultural Development Agriculture Victoria Department of Natural Resources and Environment
Phone:	03 9210 9222
Fax:	03 9800 3521
Email:	russell.goodman@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	· To improve and promote an effective honeybee crop pollination service by developing a national marketing and communications strategy. · To develop a technology transfer resource package to enhance the delivery and use of commercial honeybee crop pollination services.
Background	Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators of many fruit and seed crops and can be introduced to flowering crops in large numbers to provide optimum fruit or seed set and improved crop production. Many apiarists provide a honeybee crop pollination service to growers on a fee for service basis. A survey of the delivery and use of honeybee crop pollination services in Victoria in 1995 found that: · Generally, growers did not understand honeybees, their activities and aspects of honeybee pollination. · Growers needed more information that was readily accessible and they largely depended on apiarists for advice on pollination. They generally lacked the skills to judge the suitability of a honeybee colony for pollination. · Many apiarists had a good knowledge of the basics of pollination but some required additional information on pollination in order to me more helpful to growers. · Growers perceived some apiarists to be unprofessional because they did not have brochures to advertise their pollination service and provide basic information to their clients. This project was designed to address these issues by developing suitable written and illustrated material for apiarists and growers.
Research	A literature search was conducted to glean information about the pollination of a range of crops. Brochures were developed in co-operation with grower and apiarist organisations. The latter involved the Crop Pollination Association (Southeastern Australia) and the Pollination Association of Western Australia. Individual providers of honeybee crop pollination services were also extensively consulted.

Project Title		Non-fungicidal and biological control of core rots in pome fruit
RIRDC Project No:		TAR-1A
Researcher:	Mr Chris Archer
Organisation:	University of Tasmania – Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research
Phone:	(03) 6233 6830
Fax:	(03) 6228 5123
Email:	Chris.Archer@dpiwe.tas.gov.au
Objectives		· Development of a low cost and efficacious method of management of the core rot disease in susceptible pome fruit varieties. · An increase in fruit quality by a reduction in the incidence of core rot. · A decrease in grower production costs through replacement of the four fungicide sprays currently used to control the disease. · Use of honeybees as a transfer vector for any biological control agents determined during the study (thereby value adding to the honeybee industry by apiarists charging fee for service for use of bees to deliver material to apple blossom during the full bloom period).
Background		Core rots (also known as mouldy core) of apples is a major problem for Australian apple growers and exporters. The disease is caused by a complex of fungal pathogens (Alternaria and Pezicula spp. predominate), and results in a zone of rotting tissue around the apple core. The disease develops from infections that occur during flowering but remains latent until after harvest when the apples are held in controlled atmosphere storage. Because of the discrete period (full bloom) and site (senescing apple blossom) at which infection occurs, there is a strong potential for control of the disease by way of competitive or antagonistic biological control agents.
Research		Laboratory investigations undertaken as a component of this project have revealed a fungal species that occurs in apple cores but does not cause rots. This fungus (Gliocladium roseum) has been found capable of reducing the incidence of core rots due to Alternaria infections in disease susceptible varieties. A further outcome of this project has been the determination of an inexpensive method for large scale bulking of the Gliocladium material. Investigations are being undertaken to determine methods of integrating this organism, as a biological control agent, into conventional orchard management practices used for the control of other diseases (such as powdery mildew). Core rot is promoted in those apple varieties that possess an open sinus, that is, a continuous passage from the calyx into the core region. Within this project an investigation of new apple varieties demonstrated that three varieties (Johnagold, Royal Gala, Sundowner) have the morphology to promote core rot development with two (Johnagold and Sundowner), exhibiting similar levels of rot occurrence to Red Fuji (considered a susceptible variety). A common difficulty with biological control programs is the method by which a bio-control agent is delivered to the appropriate site on a plant. For the core rot pathogens the site of infection is the apple blossom. When using inundative sprayers there is a significant quantity of material that misses the blossom and is effectively wasted. What is required, is a method of accurately placing the control agent in an adequate concentration solely on the flowers. As beehives are normally placed in apple orchards during the full bloom period for the purposes of pollination there is an opportunity to use honeybees as a transfer vector for biological control material to the apple blossom. Trials conducted in the 1998 season demonstrated bees to be more efficient in the transfer of material to the flowers than high volume inundative spraying. Material transferred by bees, resulted in a similar concentration of biocontrol material at the flowers compared with spraying, however the sprayed material declined rapidly in concentration over time as compared with that transferred by bees. There appear to be no adverse effects on the honeybees from the biological control agent.
Outcomes		· Determination of a fungal species (Gliocladium roseum) capable of reducing the incidence of Alternaria type core rots. · Established a cost-effective method for bulking the biological control fungi. · Examined new apple varieties for potential susceptibility to core rot pathogens. · Established that honeybees have greater efficacy in transferring biological control material than inundative sprayers.
Implications		The use of a biological control for Alternaria type core rots in pome fruit provides the opportunity to reduce fungicide applications for disease control. This bio-control fungus needs to be successfully integrated into the conventional orchard management practices of an orchard.
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