Plant Diversity Co.
Flea Beetle Cover
Companion Cropping in Canola
Companion cropping in canola/rape to help control flea beetles has been practiced for nearly a decade in the UK with proven results & should be considered for your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy.
Flea Beetle Cover
plant species in blend
This blend is sown as a companion crop with your canola as part of your integrated pest management strategy against flea beetles. Round up or Liberty will terminate plant species at herbicide timing.
Seeding Rate: 20 Ibs/acre SKU: 2000 Ib Tote
Plant Species In Blend: Fenugreek, Berseem Clover, Buckwheat
We are currently in the trial phase of this blend.
Contact Us if you would like to do an on-farm trial in the 2024 growing season!
Bayer CropScience UK: Companion Advantage For Oilseed Rape
Bayer Crop Science UK: A farmer overcomes flea beetles in oilseed rape using companion crops, and continual experimentation is key [1].
Agrii: Companion cropping is providing oilseed rape with good protection from cabbage stem flea beetle damage [2].
S. Agriculture Research: Sowing oilseed rape with other plants reduces damage caused by adult flea beetle [3].
Farmers Weekly: Companion crops help camouflage the emerging crop and fool flea beetles, with buckwheat proving to be the best [4].
Bayer Crop Science UK: Companion advantage for oilseed rape [5].
Citations:
[1] https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/blog/articles/2019/09/flea-beetle-control-companion-crops/
[2] https://www.agrii.co.uk/blog/escaping-the-flea-beetle-threat/
[4] https://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/crop-management/pests/tips-on-how-to-beat-flea-beetle-when-growing-oilseed-rape
[5] https://cropscience.bayer.co.uk/blog/articles/2022/08/companion-advantage-for-oilseed-rape/
Flea Beetle Cover
Integrated Pest Management
DISGUISING THE CANOLA
Buckwheat & Berseem Clover act as camouflage to the canola-produced plant volatiles that flea beetles use to find the crop.
ATTRACTING BENEFICIAL INSECTS
Companion crops can attract many predators of flea beetle adults, eggs and larvae. When combined with minimal soil disturbance, we can promote the presence of these beneficial insects even more.
DETERING ODOR FROM FENUGREEK
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) produces a natural odour to deter flea beetles from the oilseed rape crop.