Abundance, growth rate and parasitism of Brevicoryne brassicae and Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae) on broccoli grown in living mulches

Published source details Costello M.J. & Altieri M.A. (1995) Abundance, growth rate and parasitism of Brevicoryne brassicae and Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae) on broccoli grown in living mulches. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 52, 187-196.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Pest regulation: Grow cover crops in arable fields Action Link
	Pest regulation: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic Action Link

Pest regulation: Grow cover crops in arable fields

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1991 in a broccoli field in the Salinas Valley, California, USA (same study as (3)), found fewer pests and less parasitism of pests in plots with cover crops (living mulches) between broccoli plants, compared to bare soil. Pest regulation: Fewer aphids were parasitized in plots with cover crops, compared to bare soils, in 9 of 12 comparisons (0–7% vs 10–18%). Pest numbers: Fewer aphids were found in plots with cover crops, compared to bare soil, in 43 of 48 comparisons (0.01–0.52 vs 0.2–1.8 aphids/leaf). Implementation options: Similar numbers of aphids were parasitized in plots with different mixtures of cover crops (0–13%). Methods: Broccoli plants were transplanted into cover crops or bare soil (four replicates each, 10 x 10 m plots). The cover crops were white clover Trifolium repens, strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum, or a mixture of birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus and red clover Trifolium praetense. Cabbage aphids Brevicoryne brassicae and green peach aphids Myzus persicae were sampled by taking 50 broccoli leaves from 50 plants in each plot (1990: every 2 weeks; 1991: every 10 days).
Pest regulation: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1991 in a broccoli field in the Salinas Valley, California, USA (same study as (1)), found similar numbers of pests in plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer. Pest numbers: Similar numbers of aphids were found in plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer (data not reported). Methods: Plots (10 x 10 m) had organic fertilizer (compost) or inorganic fertilizer (amounts not reported; four plots for each). Cabbage aphids Brevicoryne brassicae and green peach aphids Myzus persicae were sampled on 50 broccoli leaves from 50 plants in each plot (1990: every 2 weeks; 1991: every 10 days).