Livina mulches suppress aphids in broccoli

Abstract

A living mulch combines an an- nual crop with a cover crop to provide pest control and soil pro- tection. Results of a study In the Salinas Valley show cabbage aphid infestation can be lowered on broccoli grown in living mulches compared to clean culti- vation, possibly because light re- flectance patterns are less attrac- tive to incoming aphids. Early and intense mowing of the cover crop and adequate irrigation main- tained broccoli yield in living mulches relative to clean cultiva- tion. Lack of specialized equip- ment Is the main limitation to the commercial application of liVing mulches at this time.