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the potential of leys and short rotation coppice hedges as reservoirs for parasitoids of cereal aphids in oganic agriculture

Langer, Vibeke (2001) the potential of leys and short rotation coppice hedges as reservoirs for parasitoids of cereal aphids in oganic agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 87, pp. 81-92.

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Document available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01678809


Summary

Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess whether leys used for nitrogen fixation and fodder, which cover from a fifth to more than half the acreage on organic farms, as well as short rotation coppice (SRC) used for energy purposes, have potentials as reservoirs for aphid parasitoids in organic agriculture. Exposure of cereal aphids to naturally occurring parasitoids in various crops showed that parasitoids capable of parasitizing the pest aphid Sitobion avenae were active in ley, alfalfa and SRC from spring to late autumn, but in barley fields only in mid summer. Parasitism by Aphidius sp. dominated in ley, whereas parasitism by Praon sp. was most frequent in SRC. Alternative aphid hosts for parasitoids of S. avenae were shown to be present in late summer, late autumn and early spring in ley and SRC. Within field distribution of parasitism and prevalence of the insect pathogen Entomophtera on aphids in spring barley fields were determined by spatially explicit sampling, but was not consistently affected by proximity to ley or SRC. The data indicate that SRC hedges and clover/grass leys in the rotation may increase diversity and activity of parasitoids attacking cereal aphids.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:grassland, pest management, ecosystem services, parasitoids, cereal aphids, Sitobion avenae, hedgerow, ley, Aphidius, Entomophtera
Subjects: Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection
Crop husbandry > Production systems > Cereals, pulses and oilseeds
Research affiliation: Denmark > KU - University of Copenhagen > KU-LIFE - Faculty of Life Sciences
Deposited By: Langer, Vibeke
ID Code:1071
Deposited On:03 Sep 2003
Last Modified:28 Apr 2013 10:37
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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