A region-wide experiment with functional agrobiodiversity (FAB) in arable farming in the Netherlands

Published source details Alebeek F.V., Wiersema M., Rijn P.V., Wäckers F., Belder E.D., Willemse J. & Gurp H.V. (2006) A region-wide experiment with functional agrobiodiversity (FAB) in arable farming in the Netherlands. IOBC wprs Bulletin (Bulletin OILB srop), 29, 141-144.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Plant grass buffer strips/margins around arable or pasture fields Action Link
	Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips Action Link

Plant grass buffer strips/margins around arable or pasture fields

A replicated study in 2005 in the Netherlands (Alebeek et al. 2006) found no clear effects of sown field margins and flower strips on invertebrate pest populations. No figures were presented. A total of 15 km of perennial field margins and flower strips were sown along field edges and across fields in a 400 ha area on five arable fields. Flower availability, natural enemy and key pest densities were measured in 2005.
Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips

A replicated study in 2005 in the province of South Holland, the Netherlands (Alebeek et al. 2006) found that natural enemies (parasitoids, hoverflies (Syrphidae) and predatory bugs (Hemiptera)) were generally more abundant near sown flower strips than further into the crop. There were no clear effects of sown field margins and flower strips on pest populations. No figures were presented. A total of 15 km of perennial field margins and flower strips were sown along field edges and across fields on five neighbouring farms in a 400 ha area. Flower availability, natural enemy and key pest densities were measured in 2005.