scholarly journals The ‘Botanical Triad’: The Presence of Insectary Plants Enhances Natural Enemy Abundance on Trap Crop Plants in an Organic Cabbage Agro-Ecosystem

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Binita Shrestha ◽  
Deborah L. Finke ◽  
Jaime C. Piñero

Habitat manipulation through the incorporation of non-crop plants such as trap crops (to lure pests away from the cash crop) and insectary plants (to provide resources for natural enemies) into agro-ecosystems is an ecological approach to pest management. In a field-scale study, we quantified the effects of integrating the use of trap crops with insectary plants as a novel method to control pest herbivores in an organic cabbage agro-ecosystem. We hypothesized that pests would be concentrated in the trap crop habitat and suppressed by insectary-subsidized natural enemies in situ. We documented arthropod abundance (both adults and immature stages) associated with (1) two insectary plant species (sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima, and buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum) either alone or in combination; (2) a trap crop mixture of mighty mustard (Brassica juncea), red Russian kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), and glossy collards (Brassica oleracea var. italica), and (3) cabbage cash crop (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). Trap crops were more attractive to pests than the cash crop. On a per-plant basis, densities of the herbivores Evergestis rimosalis, Trichoplusia ni, and Plutella xylostella were 154, 37, and 161× greater on the kale trap crop than on the cabbage cash crop, and 54, 18, and 89× greater on the collards trap crop than on the cash crop. Insectary plants contributed to the consumption of pests that aggregated on the trap crop. Parasitism of E. rimosalis by the braconid wasp Cotesia orobenae was significantly increased, and the abundance of eggs and larvae of the predatory coccinellid beetle Coleomegilla maculata was greater on the trap crop in the presence of insectary plants compared to trap crops that lacked insectary plants. The ‘Botanical Triad’ of cash crop, trap crop, and insectary plants represents a new type of agro-ecosystem manipulation that integrates ecosystem service providers (e.g., predators and parasitoids) within the cropping system.

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 875-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.R. Mitchell ◽  
Guangye Hu ◽  
Denise Johanowicz

Collard greens (Brassica oleracea var. acephala L.) were planted in the peripheries of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) fields in the spring growing seasons of 1997 and 1998 to evaluate their effectiveness as a trap crop to manage the diamondback moth (DBM) [Plutella xylostella (L.)]. The numbers of DBM never exceeded the action threshold for application of insecticides in any of the fields that were completely surrounded by collards, but did exceed the action threshold in three of the fields without collards on four sampling dates in 1998. In both years, the numbers of DBM larvae in the collards exceeded the action threshold of 0.3 total larvae/plant in eight of nine fields. Larval counts in cabbage surrounded with collards were not significantly higher than in the conventionally planted cabbage, even though the number of pesticide applications was reduced in the former. The few pesticide applications in fields surrounded by collards probably targeted the cabbage looper [Trichoplusia ni (Hübner)], which was not impeded by the collards from infesting the interior cabbage. There was no significant reduction in marketability, and damage to cabbage was similar to that in fields where collards were planted and in fields where only conventional pesticides were used. The reduced number of pesticide sprays, as well as the high concentration of host larvae in the collards, may help maintain populations of natural enemies of DBM in the agroecosystem. Planting collards in field peripheries is a potentially effective tactic to manage DBM in cabbage.


2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 150b-151
Author(s):  
E.R. Mitchell ◽  
Guangye Hu ◽  
Denise Johanowicz

Collard greens (Brassica oleracea var. acephala L.) were planted in the peripheries of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) fields in the spring growing seasons of 1997 and 1998 to evaluate their effectiveness as a trap crop to manage the diamondback moth (DBM) [Plutella xylostella (L.)]. The numbers of DBM never exceeded the action threshold for application of insecticides in any of thefields that were completely surrounded by collards, but did exceed the action threshold in three of the fields without collards on four sampling dates in 1998. In both years, the numbers of DBM larvae in the collards exceeded the action threshold of 0.3 total larvae/plant in eight of nine fields. Larval counts in cabbage surrounded with collards were not significantly higher than in the conventionally planted cabbage, even though the number of pesticide applications was reduced in the former. The few pesticide applications in fields surrounded by collards probably targeted the cabbage looper [Trichoplusia ni (Hübner)], which was not impeded by the collards from infesting the interior cabbage. There was no significant reduction in marketability, and damage to cabbage was similar to that in fields where collards were planted and in fields where only conventional pesticides were used. The reduced number of pesticide sprays, as well as the high concentration of host larvae in the collards, may help maintain populations of natural enemies of DBM in the agroecosystem. Planting collards in field peripheries is a potentially effective tactic to manage DBM in cabbage.


2018 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Rubén Badenes-Pérez

Abstract This paper reviews the most important cases of trap crops and insectary plants in the order Brassicales. Most trap crops in the order Brassicales target insects that are specialist in plants belonging to this order, such as the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), the pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), and flea beetles in the genera Phyllotreta and Psylliodes (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In most cases, the mode of action of these trap crops is the preferential attraction of the insect pest for the trap crop located next to the main crop. With one exception, these trap crops in the order Brassicales have been used with brassicaceous crops. Insectary plants in the order Brassicales attract a wide variety of natural enemies, but most studies focus on their effect on aphidofagous hoverflies and parasitoids. The parasitoids benefiting from insectary plants in the order Brassicales target insects pests ranging from specialists, such as P. xylostella, to highly polyfagous, such as the stink bugs Euschistus conspersus Uhler and Thyanta pallidovirens Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). In the order Brassicales, the three most common trap crops are Indian mustard, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern, Chinese cabbage, Brassica rapa L., and yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris R. Br., while the three most common insectary plants are sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., white mustard, Sinapis alba L, and B. vulgaris. Except for Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae) and Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew. (Capparaceae), the tested trap crops and insectary plants in the order Brassicales belong to the family Brassicaceae.


2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sequeira

A strategic trap cropping program targeting Helicoverpa spp. on cotton was developed and implemented in the Emerald irrigation area of Central Queensland beginning in the winter of 1997. Growers were advised to plant 1% of total cropping area to a trap crop of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in winter and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) in summer. The population dynamics of Helicoverpa spp. in relation to the Emerald cropping system was studied over a 3-year period (August 1996–July 1999) to provide a framework for testing the validity of key assumptions underlying the trap cropping strategy and optimising the implementation of the program. The population dynamics study showed continuous production of Helicoverpa pupae (moths) in the crop production system during each calendar year. The pattern of pupae production was consistent with cycling of Helicoverpa populations between irrigation and rainfed cropping components of the system. Spring rainfall and the availability of host plant resources is shown to impact on the population dynamics of Helicoverpa in the cropping system and its pest status on early-season cotton. Performance and potential impact of the trap crops are discussed within the context of host plant availability and resource bottlenecks. It is shown that the impact of the trap crops on abundance of Helicoverpa spp. early in the growing season could not be distinguished from that of naturally occurring host plant resource bottlenecks in spring most likely as a result of suboptimal timing of trap crop destruction. The potential contribution of cultural control tactics to integrated pest management of Helicoverpa spp. in cropping systems is discussed.


Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shovon Chandra Sarkar ◽  
Endong Wang ◽  
Shengyong Wu ◽  
Zhongren Lei

Companion planting is a well-known strategy to manage insect pests and support a natural enemy population through vegetative diversification. Trap cropping is one such type of special companion planting strategy that is traditionally used for insect pest management through vegetative diversification used to attract insect pests away from the main crops during a critical time period by providing them an alternative preferred choice. Trap crops not only attract the insects for feeding and oviposition, but also act as a sink for any pathogen that may be a vector. Considerable research has been conducted on different trap crops as companion plant species to develop improved pest management strategies. Despite this, little consensus exists regarding optimal trap cropping systems for diverse pest management situations. An advantage of trap cropping over an artificially released natural enemy-based biological control could be an attractive remedy for natural enemies in cropping systems. Besides, many trap crop species can conserve natural enemies. This secondary effect of attracting natural enemies may be an advantage compared to the conventional means of pest control. However, this additional consideration requires a more knowledge-intensive background to designing an effective trap cropping system. We have provided information based on different trap crops as companion plant, their functions and an updated list of trap cropping applications to attract insect pests and natural enemies that should be proven as helpful in future trap cropping endeavors.


1989 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford S. Gold ◽  
Miguel A. Altieri ◽  
Anthony C. Bellotti

AbstractCassava intercropped with cowpea in Colombia had lower numbers of Aleurotrachelus socialis Bondar and Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) per leaf and per plant than did monoculture cassava. These differences persisted for up to six months after harvest of the cowpea. These results are examined in light of the natural enemies hypothesis, which suggests that natural enemies may be favoured in diversified systems, thereby reducting herbivore load. In this regard, the effects of different cropping systems on the whitefly predator Delphastus pusillus (Le Conte) and on the combined action of the parasitoids Amitus aleurodinus Haldeman and Eretmocerus aleyrodiphaga (Risbec) are discussed. D. pusillus displayed a functional responce and was more abundant in monocultures than in intercrops. Predator:prey ratios were similar between treatments and so low that predation appeared to have little impact on whitefly numbers. Parasitism levels of Aleurotrachelus socialis were not affected by crop combinations. The data suggest that the activity of the natural enemies does not explain cropping system effects on cassava whitefly populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 1864-1871
Author(s):  
S Sherbrooke ◽  
Y Carrière ◽  
J C Palumbo

Abstract Trap cropping, in which a trap crop is planted near a cash crop, has been used successfully for reducing pest damage in some agricultural systems. We used a meta-analysis of extensive data on two trap cropping systems, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), exploiting cabbage and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) exploiting maize, to show that oviposition preference for, and high larval mortality on trap crops are important indicators of effectiveness of trap cropping systems. We then evaluated Indian mustard (Brassica juncea var. juncea L. Czern.) (Capparidales: Brassicaceae) and yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris W. T. Aiton) (Brassicales: Brassicaceae) as trap crops for protecting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) (Capparidales: Brassicaceae) against diamondback moth in Yuma, AZ, using planting configurations compatible with current practices for commercial production and without use of insecticides. In oviposition choice tests, both yellow rocket and Indian mustard were highly preferred over broccoli in the field. Furthermore, the number of larvae and pupae was significantly lower on yellow rocket and Indian mustard compared to broccoli, indicating relatively high mortality on these trap crops. Nevertheless, during the fall and spring growing seasons, no significant differences in the number of individuals on broccoli or proportion of broccoli crowns infested at harvest occurred between plots with trap crops relative to plots exclusively planted to broccoli. Thus, with the plant density and planting patterns used and without use of insecticides, there was no evidence that trap cropping was effective for reducing diamondback moth infestation of broccoli.


Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Lamy ◽  
Laura Bellec ◽  
Amélie Rusu-Stievenard ◽  
Pauline Clin ◽  
Claire Ricono ◽  
...  

The development of integrated pest management strategies becomes more and more pressing in view of potential harmful effects of synthetic pesticides on the environment and human health. A promising alternative strategy against Delia radicum is the use of trap crops. Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis and subsp. chinensis) is a highly sensitive Brassicaceae species previously identified as a good candidate to attract the cabbage root fly away from other crops. Here, we carried out multi-choice experiments both in the laboratory and in field conditions to measure the oviposition susceptibilities of different subspecies and cultivars of Chinese cabbages as compared to a broccoli reference. We found large differences among subspecies and cultivars of the Chinese cabbage, which received three to eleven times more eggs than the broccoli reference in field conditions. In laboratory conditions, the chinensis subspecies did not receive more eggs than the broccoli reference. We conclude that D. radicum largely prefers to lay eggs on the pekinensis subspecies of Chinese cabbage compared to the chinensis subspecies or broccoli. Some pekinensis cultivars, which received over ten times more eggs than broccoli in the field, appear especially promising candidates to further develop trap crop strategies against the cabbage root fly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 298-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayanava Majumdar ◽  
Matthew Price

Abstract Vegetable production in the Southeast is always at high risk from insect pests. Alternative integrated pest management (IPM) systems have to be effective in small plot as well as at the farming scale. This article explores the recent studies on large-scale trap crops using single or multiple cultivars and innovative layouts for long-term pest reduction. Trap crops must be planned carefully under high pest pressure and drought conditions along with an insecticide use strategy that minimizes external inputs and conserves natural enemies. Through participatory research approach, trap crop systems continue to evolve into practical solutions for the vegetable producers.


1998 ◽  
Vol 353 (1376) ◽  
pp. 1787-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Hoy

Resistance to pesticides in arthropod pests is a significant economic, ecological and public health problem. Although extensive research has been conducted on diverse aspects of pesticide resistance and we have learned a great deal during the past 50 years, to some degree the discussion about ‘resistance management’ has been based on ‘myths’. One myth involves the belief that we can manage resistance. I will maintain that we can only attempt to mitigate resistance because resistance is a natural evolutionary response to environmental stresses. As such, resistance will remain an ongoing dilemma in pest management and we can only delay the onset of resistance to pesticides. ‘Resistance management’ models and tactics have been much discussed but have been tested and deployed in practical pest management programmes with only limited success. Yet the myth persists that better models will provide a ‘solution’ to the problem. The reality is that success in using mitigation models is limited because these models are applied to inappropriate situations in which the critical genetic, ecological, biological or logistic assumptions cannot be met. It is difficult to predict in advance which model is appropriate to a particular situation; if the model assumptions cannot be met, applying the model sometimes can increase the rate of resistance development rather than slow it down. Are there any solutions? I believe we already have one. Unfortunately, it is not a simple or easy one to deploy. It involves employing effective agronomic practices to develop and maintain a healthy crop, monitoring pest densities, evaluating economic injury levels so that pesticides are applied only when necessary, deploying and conserving biological control agents, using host–plant resistance, cultural controls of the pest, biorational pest controls, and genetic control methods. As a part of a truly multi–tactic strategy, it is crucial to evaluate the effect of pesticides on natural enemies in order to preserve them in the cropping system. Sometimes, pesticide–resistant natural enemies are effective components of this resistance mitigation programme. Another name for this resistance mitigation model is integrated pest management (IPM). This complex model was outlined in some detail nearly 40 years ago by V. M. Stern and colleagues. To deploy the IPM resistance mitigation model, we must admit that pest management and resistance mitigation programmes are not sustainable if based on a single–tactic strategy. Delaying resistance, whether to traditional pesticides or to transgenic plants containing toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis , will require that we develop multi–tactic pest management programmes that incorporate all appropriate pest management approaches. Because pesticides are limited resources, and their loss can result in significant social and economic costs, they should be reserved for situations where they are truly needed: as tools to subdue an unexpected pest population outbreak. Effective multi–tactic IPM programmes delay resistance (= mitigation) because the number and rates of pesticide applications will be reduced.


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