Floral farmscaping and biological control in broccoli

Floral farmscaping and biological control in broccoli

The planting of flowering plants in conjunction with target crops (floral farmscaping) is becoming increasingly popular among farmers including vegetable growers in the United States. The flowers are known to attract insects including predatory and parasitic insects (natural enemies of pests) by providing them with nectar and pollen Few studies have looked at the impact of flowering plants on vegetable insect pest management in the southeastern United States, where the risks of insect pest problems are high, and flowering plants must be used that selectively encourage natural enemies while discouraging pests.This paper presents the findings of a two-year study of the impact of selected flowering plants on biological control function in broccoli plots in Athens and Tifton, Georgia, in 2010 and 2011. The flower treatments involved were: (1) broccoli (control), (2) buckwheat, (3) a mixture of two Apiaceae (fennel and dill), and (4) a mixture of two Asteraceae (yarrow and sunflower). Abundance and parasitism of lepidopteran larvae, and predation of eggs of the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) were assessed throughout the growing season and pest abundance and mortality were compared among the flower treatments.