Effect of cover crops in olive groves on Cicadomorpha communities

Antonio J Carpio,Marta Solana,Francisco S Tortosa,Jesús Castro

doi:10.5424/sjar/2020182-15991

Antonio J Carpio, Marta Solana + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2020182-15991

Copy DOI

Abstract

Aim of study: To identify the environmental variables that affect the Cicadomorpha communities and the role played by cover crops in olive groves by comparing olive orchards with cover crop to those with bare ground.Area of study: Córdoba, Spain.Material and methods: Two study plots, one with cover crop and the other with bare ground, were delimited in three areas of olives orchards. Three passive samplings (May, June and July) were performed in each study plot to estimate the abundance and the species richness of potential Cicadomorphas vectors of Xylella fastidiosa. In each sampling, eight yellow sticky traps (22 × 35 cm) were randomly distributed in each study plot (n = 144 traps).Main results: The Cicadomorpha communities were mainly affected by landscape variables (such as the total surface and the distance to remnants of natural vegetation) and environmental variables (such as the temperature, moisture or ETo), whereas cover crops played a secondary role in the abundance of the Cicadomorpha.Research highlights: The results of the study suggest that Cicadomorpha richness and abundance depend on the structural complexity provided by cover crops (positive effect) and live hedges (negative effect), which may be owing to the higher food abundance and shelter when cover crops are present, whereas higher insect predation may occur close to hedges, probably owing to insectivorous song birds.

Highlights

The policies of the European Union (EU) have, over the last thirty years, progressively evolved in an attempt to halt the dramatic loss of biodiversity associated with agricultural expansion and intensification (Pe'er et al, 2014)
Main results: The Cicadomorpha communities were mainly affected by landscape variables and environmental variables, whereas cover crops played a secondary role in the abundance of the Cicadomorpha
A total of 979 specimens from 10 species were captured in olive groves with cover crops, while, 400 specimens belonging to 7 species were captured in olive groves with bare ground (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The policies of the European Union (EU) have, over the last thirty years, progressively evolved in an attempt to halt the dramatic loss of biodiversity associated with agricultural expansion and intensification (Pe'er et al, 2014) In this respect, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has encouraged the development and promotion of Agri-Environmental Schemes, AESs, (Kleijn & Sutherland, 2003). The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has encouraged the development and promotion of Agri-Environmental Schemes, AESs, (Kleijn & Sutherland, 2003) These AESs include soil conservation practices in olive groves (Olea europaea L.), such as using herbaceous ground cover under mower control, in order to promote biodiversity and prevent erosion during the rainy season (Rodríguez-Entrena & Arriaza, 2013; Gómez et al, 2014). Hemiptera (group that Cicadomorpha belong), together with Coleoptera, have been described as potential bio-indicators of disturbances in olive crops during post-blooming period (Cotes et al, 2011). Nickel & Hildebrandt (2003) employed Auchenorrhyncha communities as disturbances indicators in grasslands according to the following reasons: i) its high species and individual abundances in grasslands, ii) they form an important component of grassland fauna, iii) Auchenorrhyncha have specific life strategies and occupy specific spatial and temporal niches, iv) its communities have immediate responses changes to management, and v) sampling can be done quickly

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion