Correction: Krauss, J., et al. Epichloë Endophyte Infection Rates and Alkaloid Content in Commercially Available Grass Seed Mixtures in Europe. Microorganisms 2020, 8, 498

The authors wish to make the following correction to this paper [...]

Criteria for effective fallow field eco schemes for farmland birds during non-breeding

Farmland eco schemes implemented under the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union are often considered ineffective in halting farmland bird declines. Fallow fields, often seeded with dedicated seed mixtures, rate among the more beneficial eco scheme types. Yet, the CAP currently defines no minimum criteria for fallow fields to qualify as eco scheme, likely jeopardizing their potential biodiversity benefits.We investigated the attractiveness of four fallow field types established under CAP eco schemes and dedicated bird conservation programs in Southern Germany. Our 2-year surveys on > 100 fields focused on the non-breeding season, where food limitation can become particularly problematic. We modelled bird incidences also in response to vegetation structure and adjacent landscape features to derive minimum criteria for effective fallow field eco schemes.Fallow field types varied only mildly in overall species richness but showed striking differences in the attracted species. Finches in particular tended to preferentially visit 1-year fallow fields, while buntings tended towards 2-year and older field types. 1-year CAP fallows, however, are typically removed before mid-winter, and thus potentially act as a trap to farmland birds and other wildlife.The investigated species consistently preferred larger fallow fields with a more differentiated vegetation structure. Placement close to woods and hedgerows positively affected birds inhabiting woodland ecotones, while classic farmland species showed higher incidences on fallow fields embedded in open landscapes.‘Policy implications’ Our findings call for the ongoing CAP revisions to specify minimum requirements that qualify fallow fields as eco schemes. These should include an at least biennial cycle, a diversification of seed mixtures, standards for fallow field size, and criteria for their placement in the landscape matrix.

Evaluation of different revegetation measures on mudflow deposits in the Nature Park Sölktäler (Styria, Austria)

Summary In mountain regions, the likelihood of mudflows might increase due to climate change. Although mudflows are common worldwide and devastate agricultural land, virtually nothing is known about the revegetation of mudflow deposits for agricultural purposes. To provide recommendations for rapid revegetation of mountain pastures, 52 permanent plots (4 m × 4 m) on 20 revegetated mudflow deposits in the Nature Park Sölktäler were established. We evaluated different revegetation measures (seed addition alone or combined with application of straw, lime or cattle manure) two years after sowing using commercial clover-grass seed mixtures. Furthermore, 27 permanent plots on 15 unsown mudflow deposits were surveyed. Sowing seeds can considerably accelerate revegetation on siliceous mudflow deposits. Festuca rubra, Agrostis capillaris, Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens and Lotus corniculatus are particularly suitable for rapid grassland reestablishment, whereas Poa pratensis is not recommendable. A pure straw application should be avoided because it delays the revegetation success. Lime addition is not recommended because it can lead to an undesirable legume dominance if clover-grass seed mixtures are used for revegetation. The most effective measure for large-scale revegetation seems to be seed addition without additives. To facilitate revegetation on coarse-grained deposits, large rocks should be crushed using a stone mill.

Gene Flow Between Bt and Non-Bt Plants in a Seed Mixture Increases Dominance of Resistance to Pyramided Bt Corn in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

For delaying evolution of pest resistance to transgenic corn producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins, limited data are available to compare the effectiveness of refuges of non-Bt corn planted in seed mixtures versus blocks. Here we addressed this issue in the ear-feeding pest Helicoverpa zea Boddie by measuring its survival and development in the laboratory on ears from field plots with 90% Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab corn and 10% non-Bt corn planted in a seed mixture or blocks. We compared a strain of H. zea selected for resistance to Cry1Ac in the laboratory, its parent strain not selected in the laboratory, and their F1 progeny. The relative survival of the F1 progeny and dominance of resistance were higher on ears from Bt plants in the seed mixture than the block. Half of the kernels in ears from non-Bt plants in the seed mixture produced both Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab. However, survival on ears from non-Bt plants did not differ between the block and seed mixture. In simulations based on the observed survival, resistance to Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab corn evolved faster with the seed mixture than the blocks, because of the higher dominance of resistance in the seed mixture. Increasing the refuge percentage improved durability of Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab corn more for the blocks than the seed mixture. These findings imply that, for a given percentage of non-Bt corn, resistance of H. zea and other ear-feeding pests to multi-toxin Bt corn is likely to evolve faster for seed mixtures than blocks.