Organic fruit growers often suffer economic losses due to insect damages. The available natural pest control products are not always effective; and most importantly, many organic fruit growers would prefer not to use any pesticides at all. Growing flowers in order to attract natural enemies of pests is a technique called Functional Agro-Biodiversity (FAB). More knowledge is necessary in order to use FAB successfully in orchards.
The aim of the project is to assess how far functional agrobiodiversity (FAB) can reduce pest damage and pesticide use in organic apple orchards. The main goal of this project is to develop innovative and feasible tools to design and manage organic orchards. The focus is given on the creation and management of flower strips in the alleyways. This increase of Functional Biodiversity will consolidate the resilience of the orchards. Methods will be developed in close collaboration with growers, which will increase a successful on-farm implementation. The project investigations will take place in nine different countries in Europe and the outcome will be relevant for growers across Europe.
