Investigation of the effects of different cover crop mixtures on the qualitative and quantitative composition of arthropod predator assemblages and production success in plantations
In the past decades, a drastic decline in arthropod biomass and, consequently, in biodiversity of arthropod assemblages has been observed globally. This phenomenon is most noticeable in habitats disturbed by humans but has been observed also in intact ecosystems recently. According to studies on this phenomenon, the main causes are intensive agricultural production and closely related anthropogenic activities.
In the long term, the decline in arthropod biomass threatens to disrupt food webs, as insects, for example, are an essential food source for many organisms. Arthropods and the food webs based on them include species that provide near-essential ecosystem services, for example through pollination, decomposition or beneficial predation. Many studies have shown the positive effects of different habitat fragments, such as riparian vegetation, on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the arthropod assemblage in an area. As useful habitat fragments, cover cropped inter-rows can increase the number of species and individuals of arthropod assemblages in plantations, from which farmers can also benefit from a plant protection point of view. Especially if the right cultivation techniques are used, which do not harm beneficial organisms. It is therefore very important to study and disseminate good practices and their effects on domestic plantations as widely as possible.
Activities
- Repeated investigation of selected indicator predator arthropod groups (spiders – Araneae, ladybirds – Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in organic and conventional orchards and vineyards.
- Investigation of the above predator groups in plantations sown with different cover crop mixtures.
- Carrying out botanical surveys to monitor the establishment of the sown mixtures and plant health surveys to assess the effect the sown cover crops on the plantations.
- Survey additional indicator groups such as butterflies to have more detailed results on how sowing flowering species affects biodiversity.
- Carrying out a comparative analysis using numerical ecological methods, taking into account site conditions, treatments, crop protection and agro-technologies and other environmental variables, and to identify the most favorable cover crop vegetation and cultivation method for the development of predatory arthropod assemblages and for the production results.
Expected results
- In fruit plantations, spiders constitute the largest macro-artiodivorous generalist predator assemblage in terms of both abundance and species richness, thus, they play an important role in the food web of agro-ecosystems. Their presence may also have direct pest control potential.
- At the same time, spiders are typically very sensitive to changes in their habitat. So, we expect qualitative and quantitative differences in the development of spider assemblages in orchard parcels with different cover crop vegetation.
- Similarly, significant differences in composition are expected between conventional and organic plantations.
- With a few exceptions, ladybird beetles can be considered a near-specialist aphid predator. The presence of ladybird beetles in the inter-rows can also contribute to the natural plant protection potential of a given plantation.
- We expect that a sufficiently drought-tolerant vegetation (which can act as a habitat also during periods of drought) can provide a more favourable microhabitat to colonize the plantation area for both spiders, ladybirds and other indicator groups for biodiversity.
- In this way, we can increase the biodiversity and biomass of beneficial and even ‘high conservation value’ arthropod assemblages in plantations and enhance beneficial effects on plant protection.
- In addition, the wider adoption of drought-tolerant cover crops can reduce the negative environmental impacts of agricultural production (biodiversity loss, soil erosion, pesticide use) while increasing resilience to climate change.
- We plan to present our results in technology briefs, national and international conferences, workshops with producers and in scientific journals.
Related videos
Researchers working on the project:
- Dr. Tamás Miglécz: botanics
- Dr. László Mezőfi: agrozoology, plant health
The implementation of the research is supported by Hungarian National Rural Network (MNVH): www.videkihalozat.eu
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