Invertebrate Pest Issues in Retained Stubble Systems: Current Knowledge and Critical Gaps

The practice in some parts of Australia of retaining crop residues (stubble retention) combined with direct drilling with limited soil disturbance may reduce disruption to invertebrate species. There is potential for pest issues to become worse as more growers adopt zero tillage practices in an effort to not disturb the soil profile. This combination of management practices is expected to increase the likelihood of pest outbreaks, dependant on the extent to which the conditions become more suitable for pest species and unsuitable for beneficials. Here we summarise some of the literature associated with invertebrate pest management issues in retained stubble systems in Australia. This builds on the brief overview of pest issues in retained stubble systems provided in the Scott et al. (2013) report to GRDC. The purpose of this report is to highlight critical knowledge gaps that limit effective management of pest or beneficials species.