About the project
Why native plants?
Which plants are best?
Create your own native planting
Plant fact sheets
Biological
control &
Natural enemies
Pollination and bees
Field days
Publications and teaching tools
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About the project |
Research
Plants can provide insect predators and parasites, also known as natural enemies, with food in the form of nectar and pollen, as well as alternate prey (a food source when there aren't prey in the crop itself) and moderated temperatures. Previous research in a variety of cropping systems with many different types of natural enemies indicates that predators and insect parasites frequently live longer when they have access to flowering plants. This has resulted in recommendations for habitat management that include maintaining or planting species that provide floral resources in or near crop fields, orchards and vineyards. One curious fact about these recommendations is that the plants most commonly cited for this purpose, such as buckwheat, sweet alyssum, faba bean, dill and coriander, are all annuals and not native to the United States. We were interested in learning if native Michigan perennial plants could provide similar resources. Furthermore, we wanted to determine if a succession of flowering species could be found that provide pollen and nectar resources over much of the growing season. |
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We selected 43 native Michigan plants based on their reported bloom period and ability to survive in agricultural habitats. All of the species selected historically grew in prairie or savanna habitats (scattered trees with an understory of prairie species). These habitats have been largely replaced by agriculture in Michigan and share similar soil, climatic, and structural conditions as field and orchard/vineyard crops. |
On-Farm Trials
When we began this research project, we knew that we would need to determine if the native plants can be reliably established as strips in crop fields and if this translates into improved pest management. In 2003, we established collaborations with two organic Michigan farmers to seed trials of native plant strips at their farms. In fall 2004, spring 2005 and spring 2006, we seeded 3650 ft of strips with a mixture of 26 grass and flowering broad-leaved perennial plants at each farm. During the first summer, the primary goal was control of the annual weeds in these strips, so strips were mown at about 6” heights each time weeds went into flower (three to four times). In the first year of growth, we saw some native plant seedlings in June, the first up were Canada wild rye (Elymus canadensis) and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). More seedlings germinated throughout the summers of 2005 and 2006. In June 2006, a total of 16 native grass and forb species were identified in the strips seeded in previous years. Some native plant species are slow to establish, so we anticipate seeing greater numbers of native plants in the second year as more seeds germinate and weed pressure in the strips decreases. In year two, farmers will mow one to two times to control weed populations.
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Funding
MSU Agriculture Special Grant
USDA, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
Cooperators
Wildtype Design, Native Plants and Seed. Ltd.
MSU Extension
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Farmers
Richard Stuckey, Gene Vogel |
| This fact sheet prepared by: Doug Landis, Anna Fiedler, Department of Entomology, Michigan State University. Please note: The information presented at this web site should be considered a guideline to be adapted for your situation. MSU makes no warranty about the use of the information presented here. Read disclaimer. |
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