Study

Below- and aboveground abundance and distribution of fungal entomopathogens in experimental conventional and organic cropping systems

  • Published source details Meyling N.V., Thorup-Kristensen K. & Eilenberg J. (2011) Below- and aboveground abundance and distribution of fungal entomopathogens in experimental conventional and organic cropping systems. Biological Control, 59, 180-186.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Convert to organic farming

Action Link
Natural Pest Control
  1. Convert to organic farming

    A controlled, replicated study in 2006-2008 in Ã…rslev, Denmark (Meyling et al. 2011) (the same study as Meyling et al. 2010) found fewer insect carcasses (including pests) infected by parasitoid fungi (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) in organically farmed plots with a green manure (1-11 carcasses/treatment) than in conventionally managed plots (14-24 carcasses), in September 2007 and 2008. Another organic treatment, alternating conserved strips of green manure between vegetable rows, had fewer infected insects (averaging 1.3 carcasses/plot) than conventional plots (7 carcasses) in September 2008. There were no differences between organic and conventional plots in other months (June to August) in 2007-2008. Only 17-28% of carcasses were of plant-eating pests, while 47-63% of carcasses were insect predators. White cabbage Brassica oleracea and carrot Daucus carota were grown in three replicate fields, each containing two organically managed treatments with undersowing (receiving different methods of green manuring) and a conventionally managed control. Treatments were applied to eight plots of 10 x 12.5 m in each field. Insect carcasses were sampled along nine 10 x 0.25 m transects per treatment per field, surveyed monthly from May to September in 2007 and 2008.

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