> You mention Irradiated pollen - I wonder if the radiation does not
> "smash" through the DNA, and other molecular material - disrupting
> its structure.

Irradiation does affect the viability of the pollen for purposes of plant
reproduction, but AFAIK, pollen DNA is not an essential, or even significant
nutrient for bees.  My understanding is that irradiated food retains
essential full nutitive properties.

> I realise that the pollen would not be passed through an emitter
> source several times - but wood that has "suffered" the
> procedure more than a couple of times does start to go sort to say
> the least.

There are several kinds of irradiation facilities.  The kind we use in Port
Coquitlam, B.C., at Iotron, and for which research has been done on doses
for bee disease control, uses an electron beam.  Electrons are tiny
compared to the larger particles used in other types of irradiation
facilities.  See http://www.essaysample.com/essay/001034.html.  I'm told
that brood and honey boxes can go thru Iotron's facility many times without
apparent adverse effects, but that other systems can turn things to Swiss
Cheese after a run or two.

Maybe you can inform us what type is used in the facility located in
Manitoba -- http://www.acsion.com/index.cfm?pageID=5, and if it will agree
to do pollen.

allen
A Beekeeper's Diary: http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/

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