Functional biodiversity: Mediterranean plants to improve natural enemies in organic citrus (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary

Plant biodiversity favors natural enemies (such as syrphids, cocci-nellids, bugs, lacewings and parasitoids) and improves the management of pests including aphids, thrips, spider mites, mealybugs, etc...
Practical recommendation
• Hedgerows (Picture 1): Introduce perimeter hedges with a combination of at least 5 different species of Mediterranean trees and shrubs such as: laurel, cornicabra, strawberry tree, mastic tree, hawthorn and aladierno. Structure the hedge in layers (herbaceous, shrub, tree), with species such as durillo, rosemary and thyme as herbaceous. Water the first two years, but from the third year on, it is no longer necessary. The productivity of the first row of citrus trees adjacent to the hedge may decrease.
• Cover crops (Picture 2) can be sown or spontaneous. The Mediterranean area has a great diversity of spontaneous species that ensure flowering practically all year round. If sown, we recommend a combina-tion of grasses (drought resistant) and legumes, which also provide nitrogen to the soil (see PA 94). Ground covers increase the diversity and abundance of natural enemies and improve the management of pests such as aphids and mites.
• Flower strips (Picture 3): sow a combination of species that bloom for several months with attractive flow-ers that provide shelter and food to natural enemies. Lobularia, marigold, chamomile, and Mediterranean species such as rosemary, thyme and sage attract syrphids, predatory bugs and parasitoids.