Flower reservoirs to promote beneficial insects in stone fruit orchards (100%) | jobs fibl

Art des Angebots: Masterarbeit

Background

Promotion of biodiversity has great potential to contribute to organic fruit production by increasing and facilitating natural pest control and pollination. Flower strips are a known management strategy used in orchards and vegetable production to provide habitat for beneficial insects and specially to increase biocontrol of pests. However, in organic stone fruit production perennial flowers strips are not as widely implemented because of the logistical challenges (for example additional machinery) and high efforts needed for maintenance of flowers strips. Orchard enclosures are installed to prevent some pests from entering but may, as a consequence, limit the access of pollinators or biocontrol agents of pests, and promote aphid population build up, for instance. This further increases the importance of promoting biocontrol and pollinator abundance and diversity in orchards. In this project, we will exploit our large experience in agroecology, to promote biodiversity and natural pest control in organic orchards with a low input strategy.

The overall goal of this research project is to test whether flower reservoirs implemented in areas adjacent to the tree rows and in anchoring areas where tractors do not transit can provide similar benefits as those provided by flower strips in the orchard alley, while reducing the logistical challenges and maintenance efforts needed from farmers, and therefore, increasing its acceptance and implementation.

The goal of the MSc thesis project is to assess whether implementation of flower reservoirs can positively affect natural pest control or pollinator diversity and abundance.

Approach

You will work on farm, recording abundance and diversity of pollinators or biocontrol or agents in cherry orchards which have implemented flower reservoirs and in orchards without. You will also monitor the cherry aphid populations on trees. You need a drive license and should have at least basic statistical knowledge.

Contact

Lara Reinbacher

Dani Lucas-Barbosa

Starting date

March 2025

Note

This is a non-paid opportunity, and FiBL offers free accommodation in one of our guest houses with shared facilities - if needed and available during the period. FiBL also offers discounts for students in our great organic mensa!