SR9220 - Integrated approaches
to honeybee health in Ontario: induction of immune resistance, hive components,
biocontrol, medicines, probiotics, and passive inoculations
This project was funded by OMAFRA through the 2009 New Directions
& Alternative Renewable Fuels Research program.
Lead researcher
Dr.
Ernesto Guzman, Dept. of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph
Objectives
Objectives for part A of the proposal
- To establish molecular techniques to diagnose honey bee samples
for N. apis or N. ceranae in Ontario.
- To determine the relative pathogenic effect of N. apis and
N. ceranae in Ontario honeybees.
Objectives for part B of the proposal
- To develop and test a) tracking and b) aerodynamic dispensers
to deploy fungal biocontrol agents and dusts against parasitic
mites (Varroa) and improve overall health of operational hives.
- To test the movement of biocontrol agents and dusts into the
brood chamber from both dispenser types on operational hives and
their efficacy in parasite control.
- To test benefits of microencapsulated tailor-made medicaments
(botanicals/ organic acids) and probiotics in pollen substitutes.
Expected benefits
The expected benefits are improved, reliable crop pollination service
from healthy, strong, honeybee deployment, and through more and better
hive products (honey, pollen, wax) with overall benefit to the rural sector.
These benefits will result from applying the technology developed from
this project such as diagnostic technology to service the industry, bioproducts
to induce disease resistance, an efficient dispenser to deliver biocontrol
agents and medicaments to bee hives, as well as diffusion of this technology
to the industry.
Results
Currently not available
Related information
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