Arable fields with no pesticides or fertilisers had a greater diversity of carabids than fields with conventional chemical applications in Austria
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Published source details
Kromp B. (1989) Carabid beetle communities (Carabidae, coleoptera) in biologically and conventionally farmed agroecosystems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 27, 241-251
Published source details Kromp B. (1989) Carabid beetle communities (Carabidae, coleoptera) in biologically and conventionally farmed agroecosystems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 27, 241-251
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Reduce fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide use generally Action Link |
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Reduce fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide use generally
A replicated study on five arable fields in Austria (Kromp 1989) found that fields with no pesticides (fungicides or herbicides) or fertilizers had a greater diversity of ground beetles (Carabidae) than those with conventional chemical applications. Wheat fields with no spraying had greater numbers of ground beetle species (43-50 species) and individuals (5-6 individuals/trap/day) than those that received conventional pesticide and fertilizer applications (species: 38-40, individuals: 2-3/trap/day). Conventionally farmed sugar beet Beta vulgaris fields had similar numbers to conventional winter wheat (1/trap/day). Fields differed in terms of weed control (mechanical or herbicides), disease control (none or fungicides) and manuring (green/compost/stone meal or mineral). One or two wheat and/or sugar beet fields were under each treatment in 1982 and 1983. Invertebrates were sampled using a line of 6-10 pitfall traps in the centre of each field from May-July.
