THE IMPORTANCE OF ASTRAGALUS SPECIES IN BEE NUTRITION

Öz

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are social insects belonging to the Apidae family of the Hymenoptera order, contributing to global food security by providing pollination services in ecosystems. Hive structures consist of queens, workers, and drones; foraging worker bees collect nectar, pollen, water, and resin after 21 days. Colonies contain 20,000-80,000 individuals, and communication occurs thru a waggle dance. Among bee products are beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, and venom. Their nutrition comes from pollen, nectar, fats, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals; deficiencies impair hive health. Worldwide with 33 subspecies, honeybees have reached 111 million colonies; Türkiye is in third place with 9.2 million colonies (8.27% share). They provide 80% of agricultural pollination, but they compete with native pollinators. This compilation examines the importance of the astragalus plant from the Fabaceae family in beekeeping. Ginsengs are perennial plants that are adapted to arid environments and fix nitrogen; their nectar is 70-76% carbohydrate, and their pollen is rich in protein and lipids. It supports bee colonies and boosts immunity. In addition to honeybees, species like Bombus spp. also feed. The flowers of astragalus are adapted for bee pollination and are a source of food in the early seasons. Their uses are diverse, including cosmetics, medicine, animal feed, and fuel. Endangered species must be protected due to climate change and grazing. In global beekeeping, the number of colonies reached 102 million in 2023, honey production reached 1.89 million tons, and the yield was 18.56 kg/hive. In Türkiye, the number of enterprises increased by 22.7% between 2018 and 2023, reaching 100,399, the number of colonies increased to 9.2 million, and honey production increased by 6.4% to 114,889 tons; however, the yield decreased to 12.45 kg. Giving, in food-scarce areas, improves bee health; habitat conservation and planning are recommended. This plant makes beekeeping sustainable and protects the ecosystem balance.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Honeybees
• Astragalus
• Bee nutrition
• Beekeeping statistics
• Protein
• Pollen

GEVEN TÜRLERİNİN ARI BESLEMESİNDEKİ ÖNEMİ

Öz

Bal arıları (Apis mellifera), Hymenoptera takımının Apidae familyasına ait sosyal böcekler olup, ekosistemlerde polinasyon hizmetleri sağlayarak küresel gıda güvenliğine katkı sunar. Koloni yapıları kraliçe, işçi ve erkek arılardan oluşur; toplayıcı işçi arılar 21 günden sonra nektar, polen, su ve reçine toplar. Koloniler 20.000-80.000 birey içerir ve iletişim sallanma dansıyla gerçekleşir. Arı ürünleri arasında balmumu, propolis, arı sütü ve arı zehri yer alır. Beslenmeleri polen, nektar, amino asitler, vitaminler ve minerallerden sağlanır; eksiklikler koloni sağlığını bozar. Dünyada 33 alt türü bulunan bal arıları, 111 milyon koloniye ulaşmıştır; Türkiye 9.2 milyon koloniyle üçüncü sıradadır (%8.27 pay). Tarımsal tozlaşmanın %80'ini sağlarlar, ancak yerli tozlayıcılarla rekabet ederler. Bu derleme, Fabaceae familyasından Geven (Astragalus) bitkisinin arı beslemesindeki önemini inceler. Geven, kurak ortamlara uyumlu, azot fiksasyonu yapan çok yıllık bitkilerdir; nektarı %70-76 karbonhidrat, poleni protein ve lipitçe zengindir. Arı kolonilerini destekler, bağışıklığı artırır. Bal arıları dışında Bombus spp. gibi türler de beslenir. Geven'in çiçekleri arı tozlaşmasına uyarlanmış olup, erken mevsimlerde yem kaynağıdır. Kullanımları kozmetik, tıbbi, yem ve yakacak olarak kullanılmaktadır. Tehlike altındaki türler, iklim değişikliği ve otlatma nedeniyle korunmalıdır. Küresel arıcılıkta koloni sayısı 2023'te 102 milyona, bal üretimi 1.89 milyon tona ulaşmıştır; verim 18.56 kg/kolonidir. Türkiye'de 2018-2023 arası işletme sayısı %22.7 artarak 100.399'a, koloni 9.2 milyona, bal üretimi %6.4 artarak 114.889 tona çıkmıştır; ancak verim 12.45 kg'a düşmüştür. Geven, nektar ve polenin kıt olduğu bölgelerde arı sağlığını geliştirir. Bu bitki, arıcılığı sürdürülebilir kılar, ekosistem dengesini korur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Bal arıları
• Geven
• Arı beslenmesi
• Arıcılık istatistikleri
• Protein
• Polen

Kaynakça

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