UK: Wildflowers near fruit trees reduce the risk of fruit damage

Published Apr 1, 2024

Tridge summary

A recent study by the University of Reading has demonstrated that the introduction of wildflower strips adjacent to apple orchards in the UK can significantly mitigate fruit damage and reduce the need for pesticides. The findings revealed that orchards with nearby flower fields experienced only 48% of trees with damaged fruit, in stark contrast to the 80% in control orchards without such biodiversity measures. This natural intervention not only led to a 6.9% boost in the production of premium, undamaged apples but also promoted the presence of beneficial insects, including flies, scale insects, and ladybugs, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional insecticide use.

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Original content

Flies, scale insects and ladybugs that live in wildflower strips help produce more undamaged apples and reduce pesticide loads. This is evidenced by the results of a study by the University of Readine (UK), writes SEEDS. Flower fields have been established near 5 apple orchards in the UK. A research team from the University of Reading found that only 48% of trees in such orchards had damaged fruit. At the same time, 80% of the fruits in the control orchards were damaged. In this case, by planting flower stripes, you can harvest 6.9% more intact premium apples, Science Daily reports. “Planting flowers near fruit trees is a reliable way to prevent crop damage and reduces dependence on insecticides. It is advisable to plant flower strips near gardens. If we have more beneficial insects on farms, there will be more quality British food in supermarkets,” said Charlotte Howard, lead author of the study. Read also: Interactions between pollinators and ...

Source: Eastfruit