The special value of such flowering mixtures is based on their special composition of a large number of location-appropriate flowering plants from many different plant families as well as their regional origin from Austrian natural areas. This makes an important contribution to preserving and promoting the regional genetics of the species used. These flower strips provide habitat and food for a variety of groups of insects such as wild bees, hoverflies, butterflies and grasshoppers.

The positive effects of the sown beneficial flower strips on the biological control of aphids by promoting their natural enemies could also be demonstrated in the present project. However, this effect occurred somewhat later in the year, towards the end of flowering of the field bean crop. However, this could not prevent virus transmission by aphids in the early developmental stage of the faba bean. Nevertheless, the special ecological value of such flowering mixtures was clearly reflected in all surveys and assessments of the project. The results also support the intentions in the new ÖPUL 2023 to promote the creation of valuable flowering strips in fields and grassland as a UBB measure.

As part of the EIP Agri project “Aphids”, it was shown that, with correct technical implementation, the long-term establishment of these ecologically valuable seed mixtures can be achieved satisfactorily.