Institute of Apiculture Liptovský Hrádok
In response to the current needs of beekeeping in Slovakia, this institute strives to preserve the gene pool of the indigenous Apis mellifera carnica of the Carpathian type.

Breeding work is carried out in order to improve the quality of the gene pool of bees in Slovakia with special emphasis on good health, quality of bee products, and effective use of pollination. Attention is paid to various issues concerning bee biology, reproduction and health, as well as the technology of bee breeding.

Scientific and research priorities of the institute:

  • Definition of the criteria and methods for evaluation, selection and breeding of bees for required performance traits.
  • Selection and multiplication of breeding material with a highly developed instinct for cleaning.
  • Selection, verification and maintenance of foulbrood-resistant bee lines.
  • Testing of new remedies for bee diseases.
  • Clinical and laboratory testing of new substances with an acaricide effect against varroasis.
  • Optimisation of the effectiveness of breeding and hygienic sanitation measures in bee populations.
  • Monitoring of the hygienic production of honey in ecologically endangered areas and observation of the occurrence of residues of remedies in bee products.
  • Investigation into the effective use of honeybees in pollination and landscape engineering, evaluation of the contribution of bees to the increased yields of entomophilous crops grown by alternative methods as compared with commercial systems.
  • Evaluation of the effects of agricultural chemicals upon honeybees and other useful insects.