Selecting and Breeding Honeybees for Collecting Alfalfa Pollen

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Abstract
Selection within lines of honeybees showing high and low preference for collection of alfalfa pollen was continued through the third and fourth generations. In the line showing high preference the average percentage of pollen-collecting bees that were collectors of alfalfa pollen increased from 39·8% in the second generation to 49·8% in the third, and to 66·4% in the fourth. In the line showing low preference the corresponding percentages were 26·2%, 14·8% and 7·6%. Hybridization of the two lines resulted in an intermediate F1. Although the value of these bees in increasing seed production has not been tested, results suggest that commercially useful strains or hybrids could be developed.

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