CAMPOS, Leonor; FRANCO, José Carlos; MONTEIRO, Ana    LOPES, Carlos. Influence of cover cropping on arthropod associated to a vineyard in estremadura. []. , 21, 1, pp.33-46. ISSN 0254-0223.

In vineyards and other perennial systems, the use of cover crops is traditionally associated with the increase of the overall beneficial insects and with lower pest densities. However, the role of cover crops in vineyard is not well understood and the use of cover crops to manage vineyard pests is a controversial practice. This work aims to study the effects of three soil management treatments - soil tillage (control), permanent resident vegetation, and permanent sown cover crop-in the abundance and diversity of pests and natural enemies. When compared to soil tillage the swards showed an increase of natural enemies and a decrease of leafhopper densities. The reduction on leafhopper densities observed on the swards cannot be explained only by the increase of natural enemies activity. The lower vine vigour registered in swards could also have contributed for the lower leafhopper incidence in these treatments. It can be concluded that vineyard cover cropping by intensifying the natural regulation mechanisms leads to establish an ecological approach that aid in keeping pest populations under control.

: Vitis vinifera; cover crops; pest management; natural enemies.

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