Australia
May 20, 2014
A patch of native vegetation (planted) surrounded by canola. Photo: CSIRO
Patches of native vegetation in cropping landscapes are important for attracting beneficial insects into crop fields early in the season.
According to research documented in the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) fact sheet Pest Management Using Native Vegetation, weedy pastures are found to play a key role in providing habitat for pests, while native plants are more conducive to predators.
The fact sheet summarises the results of trials carried out by CSIRO, with support from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Queensland, the University of Queensland and the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia.
Over two years, the research examined six landscapes (two in each region of WA, New South Wales and Queensland). Crops, pastures, weeds and native plants were sampled for pests and beneficial insects.
The fact sheet was produced as part of a GRDC-funded project examining pest suppressive landscapes, to better understand which habitats harbour pests and support beneficial insects throughout the year.
The fact sheet is available on the GRDC website at www.grdc.com.au/GRDC-FS-PestSuppressiveLandscapes and is included in the latest edition of the GRDC magazine Ground Cover. To subscribe to Ground Cover visit www.grdc.com.au/groundcover.
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