FINDIG - promotion of flower-visiting insects through diversification in grass clover leys
Project goals
- Testing and optimising the practicability of different options for pollinator promotion in the ley phase of crop rotation. For this purpose, the effects of different cutting methods (mulching, with and without removal of the cuttings at different times) and plant species mixtures (differently diverse legume and herb mixtures) on the relevant agronomic parameters are being investigated at three locations (trial series A).
- Quantification of flower resources and pollinators (or flower visitors) in the individual variants of trial series A.
- Quantification of agronomic and ecological effects on larger areas (~50 m x 30 m) on three farms in NRW and Bavaria.
- Joint data analysis on agronomy, ecology and economic evaluation
- Knowledge exchange and public relations work on the project results
Work packages
Trial series A: Three-year exact trials in two phases:
In phase 1, the establishment of the ley in different variants is investigated, the productivity of the ley is recorded (cuts) and the N content of the growth is analysed. In phase 2, a standardised cereal after-crop (winter wheat) is established and its productivity and quality quantified (yield; yield components: Crop density, number of grains per ear, thousand grain weight; protein content). (WP1)
In WP2, flower resources in the individual variants are quantified on the one hand, and the pollinators (or flower visitors) themselves on the other. The target taxa are wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), butterflies (Lepidoptera) and hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae); honeybees (Apis mellifera) are recorded separately.
Pollinator detection
Trial series B: Pollinator detection on field plots (on-farm trials)
Larger areas (at least 50 m x 30 m) are integrated as strips in comparison areas with standard farming practices on three farms each in NRW and Bavaria. Here, in consultation with the participating farmers, a pollinator-promoting variant is selected and compared with a standard practice control. In addition to the other methods, the pollinators are also recorded in transects with net catches.
| Acronym: | FINDIG |
| Duration: | 01.08.2021 bis 31.12.2024 |
| Funding code: | FKZ 2819OE103 |
| Funding: |
Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung – Bundesprogramm Ökologischer Landbau (BÖL), www.bundesprogramm.de |
| Project website: |
