Can eDNA analysis provide baseline botanical-source/pathogen identification for Citizen-Science beekeepers with year-round forage?

Commodities

• Animals: bees
• Animal Products: honey

Practices

• Animal Production: feed/forage
• Education and Training: display, participatory research

PROBLEM:

Evaluating farm animal forage and pathogens are functions of responsible farmers, yet difficult for beekeepers with varied foraging-sources, as in Hawai`i County, the largest US island with extreme elevational gradients, eco-systems and land-use changes.

QUESTION:

This project will investigate: "Can eDNA(Environmental-Deoxyribonucleic-Acid) analysis provide baseline botanical-source and pathogen identification for Citizen-Science beekeepers with year-round forage in Hawai`i County?"

In the past, botanical-sources of honey were identified by viewing pollen through microscopy (melissopalynology). Melissopalynology has limitations:
-Needs expert identification skills
-Has limited taxa representation

Modern DNA sequencing outperforms melissopalynology in discerning number of taxa and identifying infrequently detected species, at reduced cost and time per species.

Project research will assist beekeepers to identify baseline honey biological-forage by:

• Appraising eDNA sequencing for baseline biological-forage from fresh-honey. Commercially available honey DNA analysis only sequence one plant gene marker (trnL/ITS), Globoal-Taxonomy-Initiative-2020 (pg14) recommends multi-gene approach for plant taxa
• Charting, cataloging and tracking biological-forage data from eDNA sequencing of fresh-honey samples to determine baseline diversity and seasonal/annual forage changes made by Hawai`i County honeybees
• Equipping beekeepers and farmers with honeybee baseline biological-forage data in tropical and semi-tropical regions
• Increasing data available on biological-forage that bees forage in tropical and semi-tropical regions

Project education will introduce baseline biological-forage in honey, eDNA analysis techniques, and how eDNA analysis could be useful for agriculture to the public by:

• Appraising eDNA sequencing as a method that Citizen-Science Beekeepers can utilize to identify baseline biological-forage from fresh honey
• Involving Citizen-Science Beekeepers and Laboratory-Assistants in sampling, laboratory-preparation, charting, tracking and presenting the data from honey eDNA analysis
• Creating Hawai`i specific "From Comb to Consumer" brochure on harvest and post-harvest beekeeping-information, public presentations on honeybees and biological-resources:Brochure-From_Comb_to_Consumer
• Providing biological-forage data access to beekeepers/farmers/producers/consumers/legislators through public presentations, hands-on activities and online databanks

Research results will be available on website, educational display-booths and public presentations.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
Project research will assist Citizen-Science Beekeepers to identify baseline honey biological-forage by:

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE 1:
Appraise eDNA sequencing as a method that Citizen-Science Beekeepers can utilize to identify baseline biological-forage from fresh honey.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE 2
Chart, catalog and track botanical-source data from the eDNA sequencing analytics of 24 fresh-honey samples, every quadrimester, that Hawai`i County bees forage (one sample collected every month, from six Citizen-Science apiaries), to monitor honey forage species, seasonal/annual changes that may be detected in Hawai`i County honey samples

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE 3:
Equip beekeepers and farmers with honeybee baseline forage and pathogen source data in tropical and semi-tropical regions

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE 4:
Increase data available on pathogen/botanical-sources that bees forage in tropical and semi-tropical regions

EDUCATION OBJECTIVES:

Project education will introduce honey biological-sources, pathogens and analysis through presentations, hands-on use of eDNA techniques, and how eDNA analysis could be useful for agriculture by:

Education Objective 1:
Involve Citizen-Science Beekeepers and Laboratory Assistants in sampling, laboratory-preparation, charting, tracking and presenting the data from honey eDNA analysis

Education Objective 2:
Create educational outreach programs: Collaborate with beekeepers to produce "From Comb to Consumer" brochure for beekeepers that covers harvesting and post-harvest aspects of beekeeping in the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) identified languages of agriculture in Hawai`i, along with supporting public presentations on honeybees and eDNA.(NASS.2006)
Brochure-From_Comb_to_Consumer

Education Objective 3:
Provide baseline biological-source data access to beekeepers/farmers/producers/consumers/legislators through public presentations, hands-on activities and online databanks

Research results will be available on website, educational display-booths and public presentations.