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The Influence of Mixed Green Covers, a New Trend in Organic Olive Growing, on the Efficiency of Predatory Insects

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Listed:
  • Ramón González-Ruiz

    (Department Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University Institute of Research on Olive Groves and Olive Oils, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • José Alfonso Gómez-Guzmán

    (Department Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University Institute of Research on Olive Groves and Olive Oils, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Minerva Martínez-Rojas

    (Department Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University Institute of Research on Olive Groves and Olive Oils, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Antonio García-Fuentes

    (Department Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University Institute of Research on Olive Groves and Olive Oils, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • María del Pilar Cordovilla

    (Department Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University Institute of Research on Olive Groves and Olive Oils, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • María Sainz-Pérez

    (Department Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University Institute of Research on Olive Groves and Olive Oils, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
    Department of Aerospace Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, Area of Agroforestry Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Antonio M. Sánchez-Solana

    (IT Department: Area of Computer Languages and Systems, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Juan Carlos-Hervás

    (MONVA Limited Company, 28020 Mancha Real, Spain)

  • Antonio Rodríguez-Lizana

    (Department of Aerospace Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, Area of Agroforestry Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain)

Abstract

Intensive soil tillage and the resulting erosion constitutes one of the main problems in olive growing. Palliative practices such as implementing vegetable covers are encouraged. Recently, the method of adding inert green roofs to the soil, either alone or in combination with adventitious vegetation, has stood out. Assessing this agronomic measure is our main objective. This research was conducted in 2022 in the Jaén province (southern Spain), wherein olive groves with different managements were selected: (i) conventional, free from vegetation, (ii) ecologically managed olive grove containing a cover of adventitious vegetation (VC), and (iii) ecologically managed olive grove in which the remains of pruning are added to the adventitious cover (VC-MIX). Vegetation inventories and beneficial insect monitoring were performed using a combined device with chromatic and olfactory trapping. The olive moth ( Prays oleae ) and lacewing predators were selected as the indicator species. Both the beneficial insect diversity and relative plant abundance were higher in the VC-MIX, where the highest rates of predation by lacewings were found (88%). In turn, these parameters in the VC olive surpassed those of the conventional olive grove. The factors involved in the notable differences between the three management types are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ramón González-Ruiz & José Alfonso Gómez-Guzmán & Minerva Martínez-Rojas & Antonio García-Fuentes & María del Pilar Cordovilla & María Sainz-Pérez & Antonio M. Sánchez-Solana & Juan Carlos-Hervás & An, 2023. "The Influence of Mixed Green Covers, a New Trend in Organic Olive Growing, on the Efficiency of Predatory Insects," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:4:p:785-:d:1110817
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Juan Antonio Parrilla-González & Diego Ortega-Alonso, 2021. "Social Innovation in Olive Oil Cooperatives: A Case Study in Southern Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Alcántara, C. & Pujadas, A. & Saavedra, M., 2011. "Management of cruciferous cover crops by mowing for soil and water conservation in southern Spain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(6), pages 1071-1080, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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