Study

Cover crops in Victorian apple orchards: effects on production, natural enemies and pests across a season

  • Published source details Bone N.J., Thomson L.J., Ridland P.M., Cole P. & Hoffmann A.A. (2009) Cover crops in Victorian apple orchards: effects on production, natural enemies and pests across a season. Crop Protection, 28, 675-683.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Allow natural regeneration of ground cover beneath perennial crops

Action Link
Natural Pest Control
  1. Allow natural regeneration of ground cover beneath perennial crops

    A replicated, randomised, controlled study in south-eastern Australia (Bone et al. 2009) found that numbers of parasitoid (Hymenoptera), lacewing (Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae) and ladybird (Coccinellidae) natural enemies  were similar in apple tree Malus domestica canopies over naturally regenerated and commercial grass ground covers. Damage caused by the majority of pests and diseases was similar between treatments (including apple dimpling bug and russett) but damage by Helicoverpa was significantly less for apples with naturally regenerated ground cover (causing 1% of the damage to apples) than with grass mix (5%) at one site. Apple diameter and weight were similar (73-75 mm diameter, 165-188 g) for apple trees in both treatments. Treatments were applied at three sites (two included the regeneration treatment but all three received the grass mix) and in plots of 265-288 m² replicated four times. Naturally regenerating species included a mix of flowering plants and grasses.

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