Perennial flower strips for pest control in organic apple orchards - A pan-European study.


  • Cahenzli, F. , Sigsgaard, L. , Daniel, C. , Herz, A. , Jamar, L. , Kelderer, M. , Kramer jacobsen s, , Matray s, , Porcel m, & Et Al, (2019). Perennial flower strips for pest control in organic apple orchards - A pan-European study. Agriculture, Ecosystem & Environment, 278: 43-53.
Type Journal Article
Year 2019
Title Perennial flower strips for pest control in organic apple orchards - A pan-European study.
Journal Agriculture, Ecosystem & Environment,
Volume 278
Pages 43-53
Endnote keywords conservation biological control, Cydia pomonella, Dysaphis plantaginea, flower strip, functional agrobiodiversity
Abstract The intensive use of pesticides in many crops is a major problem for the environment and natural ecosystem services. For instance, apples are Europe's most frequently produced fruit in orchards, requiring high pesticide input. The aim of this study was therefore to control the most important apple pests Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini) and Cydia pomonella (L.) by promoting natural enemies with sown flower strips. Perennial flower strips were sown in the alleyways of organic apple orchards in seven European countries. Visual assessments over two years revealed a higher number of natural enemies on trees in flower strip plots than on trees in control plots with standard orchard vegetation. Irrespective of this treatment effect, the abundance of natural enemies on trees increased with a higher number of aphid-infested plant parts. The population increase of D. plantaginea was slower on trees in the flower strip plots than in the control plots, resulting in reduced fruit damage after the second fruit drop. Sentinel-prey egg cards were unsuitable to reflect the activity of natural enemies. From 2016 to 2017, the number of preadult codling moth decreased more and fruit damage by C. pomonella increased less in the flower strip plots compared to the control plots. Our study shows on a wide continental scale that the use of perennial flower strips in the alleyways of apple tree rows boost natural enemies and reduces key apple pests and the associated fruit damage, which can both reduce the use of insecticides and thus further promote conservation of agrobiodiversity. We also provide plant composition of the flower strips adapted to different European countries and recommendations for implementation and management in practice.
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Authors Cahenzli, F., Sigsgaard, L., Daniel, C., Herz, A., Jamar, L., Kelderer, M., Kramer jacobsen s, , Matray s, , Porcel m, , Et Al,