Options and challenges for pest control in intensive cropping systems in tropical regions.

2018 ◽  
pp. 18-32
Author(s):  
S. V. Paula-Moraes ◽  
F. M. de A. Silva ◽  
A. Specht
Keyword(s):  
Pest Control ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Intensive Cropping

scholarly journals Effects of Temporal Crop β Diversification of a Cereal-Based Cropping System on Generalist Predators and Their Biocontrol Potential

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Antonio Puliga ◽  
Jan Thiele ◽  
Hauke Ahnemann ◽  
Jens Dauber
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Generalist Predators ◽  
Activity Density ◽  
Biocontrol Potential ◽  
Natural Pest Control ◽  
Predation Rates

In agroecosystems, crop diversification plays a fundamental role in maintaining and regenerating biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as natural pest control. Temporal diversification of cropping systems can affect the presence and activity of natural enemies by providing alternative hosts and prey, food, and refuges for overwintering. However, we still lack studies on the effects of temporal diversification on generalist predators and their biocontrol potential conducted at field scale in commercial agricultural settings. Here, we measured proxies of ecosystem functions related with biological pest control in 29 commercial agricultural fields characterized by cereal-based cropping system in Lower-Saxony, northern Germany. The fields differed in the number of crops and cover crops cultivated during the previous 12 years. Using the Rapid Ecosystem Function Assessment approach, we measured invertebrate predation, seed predation and activity density of generalist predators. We aimed at testing whether the differences in the crop rotations from the previous years would affect activity of predators and their predation rates in the current growing season. We found that the length of the crop rotation had neutral effects on the proxies measured. Furthermore, predation rates were generally lower if the rotation comprised a higher number of cover crops compared to rotation with less cover crops. The activity density of respective taxa of predatory arthropods responded differently to the number of cover crops in the crop rotation. Our results suggest that temporal crop diversity may not benefit the activity and efficiency of generalist predators when diversification strategies involve crops of very similar functional traits. Adding different resources and traits to the agroecosystems through a wider range of cultivated crops and the integration of semi-natural habitats are aspects that need to be considered when developing more diverse cropping systems aiming to provide a more efficient natural pest control.

scholarly journals Agricultural diversification promotes multiple ecosystem services without compromising yield

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (45) ◽  
pp. eaba1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Tamburini ◽  
Riccardo Bommarco ◽  
Thomas Cherico Wanger ◽  
Claire Kremen ◽  
Marcel G. A. van der Heijden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Context Dependency ◽  
Water Regulation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Impact

Enhancing biodiversity in cropping systems is suggested to promote ecosystem services, thereby reducing dependency on agronomic inputs while maintaining high crop yields. We assess the impact of several diversification practices in cropping systems on above- and belowground biodiversity and ecosystem services by reviewing 98 meta-analyses and performing a second-order meta-analysis based on 5160 original studies comprising 41,946 comparisons between diversified and simplified practices. Overall, diversification enhances biodiversity, pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation without compromising crop yields. Practices targeting aboveground biodiversity boosted pest control and water regulation, while those targeting belowground biodiversity enhanced nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation. Most often, diversification practices resulted in win-win support of services and crop yields. Variability in responses and occurrence of trade-offs highlight the context dependency of outcomes. Widespread adoption of diversification practices shows promise to contribute to biodiversity conservation and food security from local to global scales.

Influence of Weed Control Programs in Intensive Cropping Systems

Weed Science ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 762-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Glaze ◽  
C. C. Dowler ◽  
A. W. Johnson ◽  
D. R. Sumner
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Multiple Cropping ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Yellow Nutsedge ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Intensive Cropping ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Herbicide Programs

Six multiple-cropping systems composed of: a) turnip (Brassica campestrisspp.rapifera), corn (Zea maysL.), and snapbean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.); b) turnip, peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.), and snapbean; c) turnip, corn, and turnip; d) turnip, peanut, and turnip; e) snapbean, soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.], and cabbage (Brassica oleraceaL.); and f) turnip, cucumber (Cucumis sativusL.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp.], and turnip were subjected to nematicide and weed control programs of cultivation or herbicides. Herbicide programs were superior to cultivation in control of weeds. Weeds remaining in the row following cultivation competed severely with crops. Weed species remaining were altered depending on the method of control and crop. Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentusL. ♯3CYPES) increased rapidly in all herbicide programs but not in cultivated plots. Pigweeds (Amaranthusspp.) were controlled by herbicides but increased in cultivated plots. Corn, peanut, soybean, and spring snapbean yields were higher in herbicide treatments than in cultivated treatments. Cucumber was the only crop that had increased yields for both main effects, herbicide and nematicide. Turnip was consistently injured in herbicide treatments, which was believed to be caused by residues from previous crops interacting with pathogens and possible allelopathic effects of decaying organic matter.

scholarly journals The Promise of a Multi-Disciplinary, Mixed-Methods Approach to Inform Insect Pest Management: Evidence From Wyoming Alfalfa

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randa Jabbour ◽  
Shiri Noy
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Pest Management ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Insect Pest Management ◽  
Biological Pest Control ◽  
Insect Management

Pest management strategies involve a complex set of considerations, circumstances, and decision-making. Existing research suggests that farmers are reflexive and reflective in their management choices yet continue to employ curative rather than preventative strategies, and opt for chemical over biological solutions. In this piece, we detail work from a two-year, multidisciplinary, mixed-methods study of insect pest management strategies in alfalfa in Wyoming, integrating data from four focus groups, a statewide survey, and biological sampling of production fields. We outline how these different sources of data together contribute to a more complete understanding of the challenges and strategies employed by farmers, and specifically on biological pest control. We applied this approach across alfalfa hay and seed crop systems. Relatively few farmers acknowledged biological control in focus groups or surveys, yet biological exploration yielded abundant parasitism of common pest alfalfa weevil. On the other hand, parasitism of seed alfalfa pest Lygus was far less common and patchy across fields. It is only in integrating quantitative and qualitative, biological and social data that we are able to generate a more complete portrait of the challenges and opportunities of working with farmers to embrace a preventative paradigm. In doing so, we offer insights on possible barriers to the adoption of preventative insect management strategies and provide a case study of integrating social science and biophysical techniques to better understand opportunities to expand biological pest control in cropping systems.

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