Implementation, management, and assessment of flower strips in orchards to promote the biodiversity of beneficial arthropods as an alternative to pesticide application

Description

This project aims to make better use of orchard inter-rows by planting flower strips consisting of perennial and native plants, and managing them in a way that provides the resources needed by beneficial arthropods and, hence, improved recruitment of pollinators and the natural enemies of pests. This project will develop and assess the planting of flower strips in orchard inter-rows as an alternative to the application of insecticides. It also addresses certain industry priorities, insofar as the development of organic production is a stated objective of the Québec apple industry.

Objective(s)

• Select native and perennial flowering plants that are attractive to and useful for beneficial arthropods.
• Study the recruitment of pollinators and their effects on the pollination of apple trees.
• Monitor the role of flower strips in biological pest control.