Faba Beans as a Cover Crop in Organically Grown Hops: Influence on Aphids and Aphid Antagonists

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Abstract
Habitat management to enhance and influence aphid antagonists was investigated as a new strategy to control aphids (Phorodon humuli Sehr.) in hops (Humulus lupulus L.). As faba beans (Vicia faba L.) are regularly infested with aphids, cultivating them as a cover crop should increase numbers of aphid antagonists. Cutting the beans was intended to trigger the dispersal of predators to the hop plants. Although there were indications for such a dispersal, aphid numbers on hops were lowest in the control plot without a cover crop. At the end of July, all plots were almost free of aphids, and hop cones were never infested. Implications for pest management in hops are discussed.