On the importance of the sowing time of crucifers in preventing the damage caused by cabbage maggots (Hylemyia spp), on the basis of tests made on big-leafed turnip

Authors

• Anna-Liisa Varis Department of Pest Investigation, Agricultural Research Centre, Tikkurila

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71459

Abstract

In investigating the importance of the sowing time of crucifers in preventing the damage caused by the cabbage maggots (Hylemyia spp) the big-leafed turnip (Brassica rapa L. v. rapifera Metzg.) was used as a test plant. In regard to the abundance and severity of the damage differences occured in the test plants sown at different times. In South-Finland, however, the order varied in different years so that damage caused by the cabbage maggots can generally not be avoided by an arrangement of the sowing time. In North-Finland the early sowings were generally somewhat more severely damaged than the later ones. The postponement of the sowing time, however, had a detrimental effect on the yields and despite the fairly severe damage the best yields were obtained from the early sowings.