INNOVATION is our power point

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Innovations

Using module companion planting of birdsfoot trefoil to control cabbage root fly
Cabbage root fly is a serious pest causing widespread damage in brassica crops. The first generation of flies will emerge from
pupa in April to May and lay eggs at the bottom of the plants. When the maggots hatch, they feed for about three weeks causing
damage to the roots and the stems. It is possible for several generations to occur over the summer.

Roots showing damage by cabbage root fly

Fleece is often used to protect crops against this pest, but laying and maintaining it is time consuming and can make weed
control difficult. Therefore growers would welcome other methods of control. It has been well documented that maintaining a
green under storey reduces the ability of pests to ‘seek out’ the crop, but it is often difficult to achieve this at a level that will reduce
pest infestation without reducing the yield through competition. However, some growers have had found that sowing a single
seed in each brassica module established a population of birdsfoot trefoil that effectively controlled cabbage root fly without
compromising yield.

Brassicas with birdsfoot trefoil sown in the module

A trial at HDRA in 2004, where birdsfoot trefoil was sown in calabrese modules, has shown that companion module sowing
resulted in a small but significant reduction in damage by cabbage root fly, compared to the control plants. Although the effect
was small, it is encouraging that the birdsfoot trefoil still had an effect despite being poorly established at the time that the
calabrese was transplanted. Poor establishment could be attributed to poor seed germination and vigour.
In 2005, three different species of companion plant are being trialled: Birdsfoot trefoil, red clover and yellow trefoil, in order to
ascertain which plants can provide effective control, without reducing yield through competition.

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Innovations

Using umbelliferous species to attract predatory insects against cabbage aphid
Cabbage aphid can seriously reduce the quality of a range of brassica crops, especially later in the season. One method of
reducing infestation is to encourage beneficial predatory insects such as hoverflies by planting strips of species that attract these
insects. Further work is needed to investigate appropriate species for specific crops and other factors such as spatial
arrangement within the crop.

Coriander is very effective at attracting hoverflies

A number of trials where umbelliferous species such as fennel and coriander were sown in strips amongst brassica crops have
shown that coriander and fennel are very effective at attracting large numbers of hoverflies. Further work is needed to evaluate this
as a method of control, in a season with heavy aphid infestation.

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Innovations

Using alternative grasses in fertility building leys
Many growers automatically turn to the use of ryegrass in their fertility building leys. Although this performs well under conditions of
plentiful moisture, on lighter soils or areas of low rainfall, other grasses such as cocksfoot or timothy may show better
establishment. These species also have the advantage of producing a large amount of root mass, adding organic matter to the
soil and improving soil structure.

Cocksfoot

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"...one of the most effective ways of restitution is the planting of
certain green covers during the dormant phases. These green
covers – or green manure - not only protect the soil surface
from erosion, evaporation of water and destruction of the very
important soil microbes (this is why it is wrong to burn the
fields after harvest) but most important re-supplement the soil
again with carbon, nitrogen, minerals, vitamins – with other
words: everything a good soil rich in humus and fertility needs.
Leaving all plant residues on the fields and, where available,
adding compost will contribute significantly to regenerate the
soil. Warning: Never put raw manure on your soil – it is too
sharp and will kill most of microbes, earth worms which then
take quite a long time be rebuild again. It is permitted to use in
the first few years a certain amount of chemical fertilizers to
guarantee the desired yield. But this way it will of course take
longer to re-establish the desired healthy, fertile soil. A
possibly desired conversion to organic farming will therefore
also take longer...."

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Organic Agriculture concepts:

1)       To secure the farmers future on his land
2)       To reduce costs and make profit#
3)       To produce healthier and more nutritious
end products
4)       To increase shelf life
5)       To reduce health risks for farm workers and
consumers
6)       To increase the value of the farms