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Cover crops for pest control in Mediterranean citrus orchards (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

{Tool} Cover crops for pest control in Mediterranean citrus orchards (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract). Creator(s): Vercher Aznar, Rosa. Issuing Organisation(s): Ecovalia - Asociación Valor Ecológico. Biofruitnet Practice Abstract, no. 094. (2022)

[thumbnail of Cover crops for pest control in Mediterranean citrus orchards] PDF - Published Version - English (Cover crops for pest control in Mediterranean citrus orchards)
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Document available online at: https://orgprints.org/44866


Summary in the original language of the document

Cover crops benefit both natural enemies and soil composition, while supporting pest control. They offer shelter and food to natural enemies (predators, parasitoids and phytoseiids) and improve soil resilience to extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and organic matter.
Practical recommendation
• Vegetation covers can be spontaneous or sown (cover crops). Even if sown, they will tend to become natural cover over the years (Picture 1c). The Mediterranean shrub flora is varied and can be in flower most of the year.
• Cover crops can be:
o Mixed grasses (Picture 1a) which are drought resistant, conserve soil and increase organic matter (e.g., Festuca, Lolium, Bromus…)
o Leguminous mixtures (Picture 1b) which fix nitrogen and increase soil fertility. Widely used in organic farming (Trifolium sp., Alfalfa...).
o Mix legumes and grasses to combine the benefits of both above.
o Mix of flowers (Picture 1d) using local plant species that flower most of the year.
• Sow coverer crops in spring or autumn. Sowing rate of 25-50 kg/ha. Temper or water the soil after sowing; otherwise, the ants will carry away the seeds. Sometimes it is necessary to reseed the following season.
• Maintenance (or tillage): Mow about 2-4 times a year (depending on rainfall intensity). With a mower (Picture 2) or a mulcher (at a maximum height of one inch).


EPrint Type:Practice tool
What problem does the tool address?:New challenges in Mediterranean citrus pest control are invasive pests (two new species of mealybugs) and the resurgence of whiteflies (Dialeurodes citri and Paraleyrodes minei).
What solution does the tool offer?:Planting cover crops (sown covers or spontaneous wild covers) can be a good solution to support natural enemies and improve pest control.
Country:Spain
Type of Practice Tool:Practice abstracts
Keywords:Citrus, Plant protection, Pest control, Biological control, Natural enemies
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
Citrus
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1637
English
plant protection
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5978
English
pest control
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5726
English
biological control
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_918
English
natural enemies
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_5085
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Production systems > Fruit and berries
Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection
Research affiliation: European Union > Horizon 2020 > Biofruitnet
Spain > Other organizations Spain
European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:862850
Related Links:https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/44866, https://biofruitnet.eu
Project ID:ofk
Deposited By: Basler, Andreas
ID Code:44866
Deposited On:10 Dec 2022 17:48
Last Modified:02 May 2024 10:32
Document Language:English, Spanish/Español
Status:Published

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