ARGE Nützlingsblühstreifen

Short description

The focus is on the development of tailored flower mixtures and undersowing for the creation of attractive habitats for aphid antagonists. Thus, aphid outbreaks and the transference of PNYD viruses are to be reduced in a natural way and insecticide sprayings are to be avoided. This project targeted flower strips pursues thus a biodiversity-promoting approach to a solution. The supreme goal in this respect is the practicality. Which means that the methodology must be economically feasible and comply with the technical requirements of the producers.

Point of departure

An infection of leguminous plants with the Pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus (PNYDV), transferred by aphids, causes, in particular at an early stage, dwarfism, low pod set and can lead even to total losses. The control by organic plant protection products is reaching its limits and in conventional production the efficiency of chemical-synthetic products is decreasing due to the increasing development of resistance. The increased cultivation risk causes farms frequently to reduce the growing areas for leguminous plants, which are, however, valuable components of crop rotation. In particular the field bean improves with its deep roots the soil structure, enriches nitrogen and is, moreover, a valuable protein supplier with a relatively high yield potential. It is scientifically confirmed that tailored flower strips and undersowing have positive effects on biodiversity and mitigate aphid outbreaks, however, there are considerable reservations on the part of famers and consultants in particular as regards economic efficiency. The project is therefore designed in a very practice-oriented way and is run in a very targeted way aiming at its agricultural benefit.

Project implementation and measures

Important project steps are:
1. Development of tailored seed mixtures for flower strips and undersowing
2. Establishment and management of tailored flower strips/undersowing by the farmers
3. Scientific monitoring for the establishment and support of farmers with tailored flower strips /undersowing management by experts.
4. Monitoring- and rating activities, controls in the field of plant production, adaptation and tending of the tailored flower strips/undersowing
5. Spreading of the project results in agricultural and specific specialist groups