Research projects

    Plant-growing measures against bird damage in organic farming

    Hein Waltraud, DI

    DI Waltraud Hein

    Organic farming

    Bird predation is a problem that is difficult to combat in organic farming. Freshly sown crops such as maize, sunflowers and grain legumes are particularly at risk from bird predation, especially in the period between sowing and germination, with the young seedlings being the preferred food source of the harmful birds.

    These can belong to very different bird species, such as crows, pigeons, pheasants, starlings, jays and others. Birds can be repelled using acoustic or visual deterrents, using fertilizers approved for organic farming, distracted feeding or appropriate crop cultivation measures. By placing the seed slightly deeper, the birds do not have such unimpeded access; on the other hand, the seed needs a little longer to germinate. Hilling up after sowing can also prevent the grains from being picked out quickly because they are more heavily covered with soil.

    In the previous project, questions on the subject of bird damage were already addressed using various fertilizers permitted in organic farming; This project serves to deepen this problem. Field tests with dressing agents should be carried out, and observations should also be made and documented when setting up a kite. Of course, it may also be the case that no harmful birds appear at the time of germination and therefore no observations can be carried out.

    Picked out corn seedling

    Picked out corn seedling

     HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

    Left

    National partners

    DAFNE

     

    Plant-growing measures against bird damage in organic farming

    Hein Waltraud (2011 - 2013)
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