The key role of inter-row vegetation and ants on predation in Mediterranean organic vineyards

Blaise, Chloé; Mazzia, Christophe; Bischoff, Armin; Millon, Alexandre; Ponel, Philippe; Blight, Olivier

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2021.107327

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…However, several studies have demonstrated that inter-row vegetation also provides important ecosystem services 15 , 21 . In a recent study, we showed that inter-row vegetation improves predation by arthropods 16 . Here, we further highlighted a strong and positive effect of inter-row vegetation on arthropod communities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The restoration of semi-natural habitats in agricultural areas is a key aspect of agro-ecology 14 , 15 . Sowing plants to cover the soil is increasingly promoted to improve predation 16 , pest regulation 17 and the refuge function for insect biodiversity 18 , 19 in addition to soil protection against erosion 20 . The presence of plants other than the cultivated species is therefore expected to provide multiple benefits for perennial crops, such as the grapevine 21 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vegetation increases abundances of ground and canopy arthropods in Mediterranean vineyards

Blaise

Mazzia

Bischoff

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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The decline of arthropod populations observed in many parts of the world is a major component of the sixth mass extinction with intensive agriculture being one of its main drivers. Biodiversity-friendly farming practices are taking centre stage in the recovery process. In vineyards, vegetation cover is commonly used for production purposes, to reduce soil compaction by machinery use and soil erosion. Here we examined the effects of vegetation cover and soil management on the abundance of ground- (spiders, beetles, Hemiptera and harvestmen) and canopy-dwelling (wild bees, green lacewings, beetles and Hemiptera) arthropods in three categories of vineyards: (i) vineyards with no vegetation, (ii) partially vegetated (every second inter-row is vegetated) and (iii) all inter-rows are vegetated. We recorded a general positive effect of a decrease in soil perturbation intensity and corresponding higher vegetation cover on arthropod abundance. Plant species richness was the most important vegetation parameter, with a positive effect on spiders, harvestmen, hemipterans and beetles (ground and canopy) abundances. Using a path analysis, we also highlighted the central role of inter-row vegetation management in trophic and non-trophic relationships between vegetation and arthropods, and between arthropod groups. Our results demonstrate the benefits of a softer soil management preserving a diverse vegetation cover for the conservation of arthropods in Mediterranean vineyards.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation increases abundances of ground and canopy arthropods in Mediterranean vineyards

Blaise

Mazzia

Bischoff

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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“…The adoption of ground cover vegetation in orchard has shown to be a potential way to promote biological pest control by natural enemies and associated ecosystem services (Alvarez, Morente, et al., 2021; Aparicio et al., 2021; Blaise et al., 2021; Mateos‐Fierro et al., 2021). Furthermore, its role on functional biodiversity (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, culturing engineering of ground cover vegetation is also a valuable strategy for promoting agricultural biodiversity (Ricci et al., 2019; Riordan et al., 2020) and biocontrol services. The use of different ground cover vegetations in place of bare soil has been promoted and adopted with positive results in many orchard systems, such as olive (Alvarez, Morente, Campos, et al., 2019; Alvarez, Jiménez‐Muñoz, et al., 2021; Alvarez, Morente, et al., 2021; Alvarez, Morente, Oi, et al., 2019), cherry (Mateos‐Fierro et al., 2021), peach (Aparicio et al., 2021; Musacchi et al., 2021; Wan, Gu, et al., 2014; Wan, Ji, et al., 2014, 2018), apple (Santos et al., 2018), vineyards (Blaise et al., 2021; Geldenhuys et al., 2021; Judt et al., 2019), coffee and tea plantations (Chen et al., 2019; Jimenez‐Soto et al., 2019). In China, ground cover vegetation of white clover ( Trifolium repens ) and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa ) have been adopted in orchards since the 1990s to promote biological control of insects and to improve soil fertility (Wan, Gu, et al., 2014; Wan, Ji, et al., 2014; Yi et al., 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ground cover vegetation promotes biological control and yield in pear orchards

Wang

Dainese

et al. 2021

J Applied Entomology

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The use of ground cover vegetation is becoming a prominent way of promoting biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in Chinese orchards. Despite the large number of studies that have addressed the effects of ground cover vegetation on promoting natural enemy populations and related pest control, it is still unclear whether enhanced natural pest control can increase yield and reduce the use of pesticide. We performed an experiment comparing three cover vegetation practices (ryegrass, clover and hairy vetch) versus a bare ground control in commercial pear orchards in the Yangtze River Delta of East China (YRDEC), China. Natural enemy density (predator and parasitoid abundance), invertebrate herbivore performance (piercing‐sucking herbivore abundance and branch‐boring and fruit‐boring percentage), pesticide input, and pear fruit yield were recorded. The results indicated that cover vegetation decreased herbivore abundance and boring percentage by 50% and 64%, respectively, thus decreasing pesticide use by 26%. We also found that cover vegetation increased the abundance of natural enemies by 621%, and increased pear fruit yield by 7%. Piecewise structural equation modelling confirmed that increased natural enemy densities, decreased herbivore performance by 102%, pesticide use by 51% and increased fruit yield by 10%. This study suggests that the use of ground cover vegetations, especially with clover and hairy vetch, is an effective way of promoting biocontrol services and associated ecosystem services in pear orchards.

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“…Petremand [232], in studies conducted in vineyards in Switzerland, found that the peak of potentially predatory activity of carabids corresponded to the occurrence of some vine pests. Concerning Formicidae, Blaise et al [233] found a correlation between predation on sentinel prey (located both in the soil and in the trunk) and ant abundance in pitfall traps located in the vineyard inter-row, highlighting the potential key role of ants in predation in Mediterranean vineyards.…”

Section: Ecosystem Services Provided By Soil Arthropods In the Vineyardmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Arthropods in the Douro Demarcated Region Vineyards: General Characteristics and Ecosystem Services Provided

et al. 2021

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Viticulture is one of the oldest and most profitable forms of agriculture; it is also one of the most intensive farming systems. As intensive cultivation threatens the environment, there is increasing interest in the concept of sustainability within the wine industry, as well as new business opportunities, as customers begin to pay more attention to environmental and sustainability issues. Recognizing the key role of soil quality in environmentally and economically sustainable viticulture makes it essential to understand better soil arthropod communities, given their crucial functions in maintaining soil quality and health. The ‘Douro Demarcated Region’ (DDR) in northern Portugal offers good potential, in regards to biodiversity, due to its significant areas of non-crop habitats. This work aims to compile information on soil arthropod communities (both soil surface and soil-living) collected in the DDR vineyard agroecosystems. A description of the ecosystem services provided by them, as a basis for the development and implementation of sustainable viticulture systems, is also an objective of this work. An important set of soil arthropods necessary for the delivery of vital ecosystem services for viticulture, with particular reference to supporting and regulating services, occurred in this ecosystem. Eight classes were chiefly represented in a sample of about 167,000 arthropod specimens: Arachnida, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Entognatha, Insecta, Malacostraca, Pauropoda, and Symphyla. The most representative were Entognatha and Insecta in soil-surface arthropods, and Arachnida and Entognatha in soil-living arthropods. The presence of recognized groups as bioindicators in agroecosystems, such as soil quality indicators, is also revealed. This knowledge is expected to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable management of the viticultural ecosystem.

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The key role of inter-row vegetation and ants on predation in Mediterranean organic vineyards

Cited by 21 publications

References 52 publications

Vegetation increases abundances of ground and canopy arthropods in Mediterranean vineyards

Vegetation increases abundances of ground and canopy arthropods in Mediterranean vineyards

Ground cover vegetation promotes biological control and yield in pear orchards

Soil Arthropods in the Douro Demarcated Region Vineyards: General Characteristics and Ecosystem Services Provided

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