<html>
<body>
Kuussaari, M., T. Hyv et al. (2011). "Pollinator insects benefit
from rotational fallows." <u>Agriculture, Ecosystems &amp;
Environment</u> <b>143</b>(1): 28-36.<br><br>
<dl>
<dd><x-tab> </x-tab>The
importance of rotational fallows for pollinating insects in intensively
cultivated farmland was studied in a three-year field experiment. The
focus was on the establishment method (undersowing or seed mixture sown
post-tillage), seed mixture (competitive Festuca pratensis Phleum
pratense - Trifolium pratense or less competitive Agrostis capillaris -
Festuca ovina mixture) and duration (1 or 2 years) of the fallow. The
seed mixture and duration affected the pollinators more than the method
of establishment. Pollinator species richness was higher in fallows sown
with less competitive than with competitive grasses and it increased in
the second year. Stubble fields reached as high pollinator species
richness already during the first year as fallows with less competitive
grasses did in the second year. Pollinator abundance was highest in those
treatments in which species richness of flowering plants was highest. The
results suggest that the benefits of rotational fallows for pollinators
increase when they are established as stubble or using seeds of less
competitive grasses and when the field is fallowed for (at least) two
summers.<br><br>
</dl></body>
</html>