The influence of yellow lupin intercropped with spring triticale on predatory carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Michal Hurej,Jacek P Twardowski

doi:10.14411/eje.2006.031

Abstract

Intercropping may have a positive effect on the abundance and activity of carabid beetles and therefore their response to intercropping yellow lupin with spring triticale was studied for a period of three years (2001-2003). Carabids were most numerous in yellow lupin monoculture and in the intercrop with the highest proportion of lupin. Important differences between the experimental treatments were found, but they were mostly non-significant because of the great variation between samples. It is supposed that the positive effect of lupin on carabid beetles was due to the shelter it provides. During the three-year study 59 species of carabid beetles were recorded. The most abundant species in each treatment was Pseudoophonus rufipes. Irrespective of the experimental treatment, this species was caught in the greatest numbers towards the end of each growing season. This was probably because of the greater soil coverage provided by the larger lupin plants at the end of the season.

Highlights

In intercropping more than one crop is grown in an area simultaneously, in such a way that they interact agronomically (Vandermeer, 1989)
The main object of this study was to compare the species composition and abundance of carabid beetles in yellow lupin intercropped with spring triticale
During the three years of the study carabid beetles were most abundant in the yellow lupin monoculture

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In intercropping more than one crop is grown in an area simultaneously, in such a way that they interact agronomically (Vandermeer, 1989). This type of cropping can suppress weed growth, and insect damage is often lower in such polycultures than in monocultures (Root, 1973; Altieri & Letourneau, 1982; Theunissen, 1994). The effect of plant diversity on populations of Carabidae is well studied (Alderweireldt & Desender, 1990; Tonhasca, 1993; Carcamo & Spence, 1994). The main object of this study was to compare the species composition and abundance of carabid beetles in yellow lupin intercropped with spring triticale. In Poland mixtures of these plants are grown for feeding to ruminants

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS