Genetic Trends and Parameters of Honey Production, Swarming and Defense Behavior in Iranian Honeybee (Apis mellifera meda) Colonies

Genetic parameters were estimated in a base and closed population of Iranian honeybee colonies. Data were obtained on 500-700 Iranian native population of honey­bee colonies (honeybee breeding project in central region of Iran) subject to 9 successive generation of selection. These populations had been selected for honey production, swarming behavior, and defense behavior. Heritability of honey production, swarming behavior, and defense behavior were 0.22, 0.34, and 0.44, respectively. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between honey production with swarming tendency and defense behavior were -0.16, -0.59, and 0.21, 0.48, respectively. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between swarming and defense behavior were -0.52 and -0.67 respectively. The genetic and phenotypic trends of swarming behavior, defense behavior, and honey production in the honeybee colonies during the 1999-2009 were desirable. Lower heritability of honey production and its higher dependence on apiary management and environmental or climatic factors caused lower improvement of honey production in breeding plans.