Produção de mel e própolis por abelhas africanizadas (Apis mellifera sp.) recebendo suplementação energética no município de Rio Largo - AL

Abstract

The present study aimed at evaluating honey and propolis production by Africanized honeybees subjected to energy supplementation in the municipality of Rio Largo, Alagoas State, Brazil. Two groups of four hives each were compared: HONEY+PROPOLIS and HONEY. Productive parameters and the correlations among honey yield, propolis production, and supplement consumption were analyzed. The average honey yield was higher in the HONEY group (20.25 kg) compared to the HONEY+PROPOLIS group (16.93 kg). Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between supplement consumption and honey yield (r = 0.62). Conversely, a moderate negative correlation (r = −0.63) was observed between honey and propolis production, indicating that colonies that are more efficient in propolis production tend to exhibit lower honey yields. Propolis production in the region occurs only during the rainy season.