EFFECT OF MAGNETIC WATER ON SOME ACTIVITIES OF HONEY BEES (Apis mellifera L.) in Jazan Province KSA

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhur University, Egypt/ Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, K.S.A

2 Biology Department, , Al darb University College, , Jazan University K.S.A

3 Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, K.S.A

Abstract

Background: Magnetic water has a potential role in the enhancement of vital activities at the cellular level including immunity, and several biological activities. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of magnetic water on sealed workers’ brood, the average body, head weight, average head diameter, as well as, the average Acini number and canal diameter of the hypopharyngeal gland of the honey bee workers (Apis mellifera L.) in Jazan province in KSA. Material &methods: The experiments were performed and replicated three times on honey bees (three cages for each group). The first group was preserved as a control (feeds on sugar syrup), while the second group was supplemented with magnetized water in addition to sugar syrup.  Each cage was settled with 100 worker bees collected from mountain combs.  Results: The obtained results showed that the sealed worker's brood colonies (square inches) treated with magnetic water increased significantly compared with the control.  Also, the average body weights of workers and drones were significantly increased compared with their control. Furthermore, the average head weight of workers has appeared with non-significant change if compared with control, while for drones was significantly increased. Regarding the effect of magnetized water on the head diameter, it was found that the effect of magnetized water on the head diameter (width and length in mm) was non-significant compared with the control.  Moreover, the means of acini number of hypopharyngeal glands in 12 days-old workers bees fed on magnetized water was increased slightly. Also, the canal diameter of the hypopharyngeal gland appeared slightly higher than the control. Conclusion:  It was concluded that magnetic water has potency in some parameters of the honey bee workers.

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