Phacelia tanacetifolia flower strips as a component of integrated farming

Published source details Holland J.M., Thomas S.R. & Courts S. (1994) Phacelia tanacetifolia flower strips as a component of integrated farming. British Crop Protection Council Monographs, 58, 215-220.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips Action Link

Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips

A replicated, controlled study in June-July 1993 in four pairs of winter wheat plots in Hampshire, UK (Holland et al. 1994) found a higher proportion of hoverflies (Syrphidae) with phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia pollen in their stomachs in plots with sown phacelia strips than in plots without strips. There was no difference in egg production between female hoverflies in plots with and without Phacelia strips. There were non-significant trends of more Aphidius spp. parasitoid wasps, other wasps (Braconidae and Proctotrupoidea) and hoverflies in phacelia strips than in the crop. Four pairs of winter wheat plots (minimum size 5 ha, minimum width 100 m) were either managed according to the Integrated Farming System (IFS) or conventionally. At IFS plots, strips of phacelia were sown along the longest edge (300-400 m) in April 1993. Conventional control plots did not have strips. Invertebrates were sampled either using fluorescent-yellow water traps (19 cm diameter) located at different distances from the phacelia strip/field edge or using a D-Vac. Traps were emptied weekly. Five D-Vac samples were taken once in two plots. Hoverflies were dissected and pollen content in the stomach as well as number of eggs in females recorded. This study system was extended and further studied by Holland & Thomas 1996.