고랭지농업은 고도가 높은 지대에서 이루어지는 농업을 총칭하는데, 상대적으로 낮은 연평균 기온과 높은 강수량 등의 환경적 특성으로 인하여 독특한 농업 해충군을 가지고 있다. 강원도를 중심으로 재배되는 씨감자와 고랭지 배추 등이 대표적인 작목인데, 최근 엽채류, 아마란스 등 신소득 작물과 과수까지 그 범위가 점차 넓어지고 있다. 이러한 고랭지농업 해충은 기후변화에 매우 민감한데, 고령지농업연구소에서는 그에 대응하는 방제 전략을 개발, 연구하고 있다. 살충제 저항성 관리 및 돌발해충 방제, 기후 변화에 따른 해충군의 분포 확산, 개체군의 변화 등은 물론 고랭지농업만이 갖는 여러 유용 곤충, 미생물 자원에 대해서도 연구하고 있다. 이러한 연구 분야와 관련 성과물, 앞으로의 연구 방향에 대하여 논의하고자 한다.

Highland agriculture is a kind of specified agricultural term based on altitude and meteorological characteristics and their main crops are seed potato and vegetables. These crops are only cultivated in summer season when insect pests are most dynamically attacking such as diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella) and aphids son on. Aphids, insect virus vector, are really annoying factor, particularly in seed potato. Furthermore, these insect pests formed small sub-population or colony based on small field area. For instance, green peach aphid (GPA, Myzus persicae) populations’ genetic backgrounds and insecticide susceptibilities were different even in the same Pyeongchang area. Therefore, we suggested that highland agriculture should adopted IRM strategy for the control of insecticide-resistant aphids. First. Monitoring of annual fluctuation of insect population using traps for more effective monitoring. Second. Performing the insecticide resistant monitoring patch by patch or field using high throughput molecular diagnosis for more accurate monitoring. Third. Establishing the insect pest management program based on these results. We will deeply discussed practical monitoring results and IRM strategy in highland agriculture.

Soil conservation management is necessary for sustainable agriculture, in highland areas, and cover crops are one of the best soil conservation methods for slopes. In this study, we evaluated the effects of alfalfa cultivation on maize production, as well as soil conservation and quality. There was an outstanding soil conservation effect with alfalfa cultivation in the fallow and maize growing seasons. In particular, alfalfa cultivation reduced soil loss by up to 98% compared with bare field. It also increased the activities of soil microorganisms and the supply of organic matter. Maize production with alfalfa cultivation showed no significant differences in yield. In conclusion, alfalfa is an advantageous perennial cover crop in highland agricultural slope areas, which can have positive effects on soil quality and conservation, as well as maize production.