Recent research has found that remnant native vegetation could be a useful tool against insect pests in grain crops. A nationally coordinated project supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and led nationally by CSIRO, aimed to gain an understanding of which landscape features contribute to pest control in crops.
Here in WA, the project was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and food and was carried out in the Great Southern region. Leading researcher Svetlana Micic, said that the data from WA showed that pest insect species were more likely to be found on weeds and beneficial insect species were more likely on natives. The data was analysed by CSIRO researcher Hazel Parry who is now running computer simulations to try and understand how management practices affect pest populations and encourage beneficial species. According to Hazel Parry “Initial results from WA suggest that native vegetation – that is well managed, is not over-grazed and has an intact under and middle plant storey – has less weeds and harbours fewer pests.”
This photo shows intact remnant vegetation in a cropping-dominated landscape. Source: Wheatbelt NRM
To me, this research highlights the importance, as well as the value of native vegetation in our Australian landscape. We all know there are many benefits of retaining native vegetation and pest management is one more benefit to add to this list.
