Beenomix 'Innovation in beekeeping: genomics for selection and biodiversity'.
Beenomix is a project that deals with the selection of a very valuable native bee variety: the Apis mellifera. This variety of bees is economically important both for honey production honey and for the production of wax, pollen, propolis and royal jelly. Also very important is the role that these insects play in the pollination of tree and herbaceous species that are essential for human nutrition. The aim of Beenomix is therefore to develop the introduction of genomic technologies and to promote phenotype surveying in a standardised, repeatable manner aimed at modern genetic evaluation of Apis mellifera bees. In this way, the honeybees will be selected using innovative processes that will make Apis mellifera varieties even more attractive to professional and hobbyist beekeepers.
The intervention funded the innovation of queen bee selection activities in order to protect local varieties from genetic erosion. The crux of the project is the identification of a controlled fertilisation site in order to establish a selection scheme that also includes paternal (male) input in the reproductive process. Dissemination activities have also been carried out and a web portal has been developed to promote and specify all stages of the activities, also providing very precise and valuable technical information for those involved.
Official company website