![]() The availability and manipulation of such food resources (natural and artificial) are the key factor for conservation biological control. They need non prey food sources at least one stages of their life time. Why Manipulation of Plant Resources in Agro-ecosystem? Natural enemies like predators and parasitoids do not depend on their prey for whole life cycle. So, research should be given more attention on different characteristics of plant for sustainable biological control in an agro-ecosystem through habitat management. ![]() The response of natural enemies is three or four times higher due to color saturation called chroma and hue. It helps the natural enemies for recognition and detection of flower from a long distance. The enhancement of natural enemies is also influenced by the flower’s color and fragrance of selected species. Therefore, the abundance of natural enemies is positively correlated with the selection of these plant species. Plant species under the family Asteraceae have late blooming characteristics, narrow disc flower which increase the nectar accessibility. Besides, it can also ultimately maximize the yield and profitability of crops for the farmers and stabilize the sustainable pest management system. ![]() In a nutshell, habitat management not only conserves biological control but also provides other indirect services like increasing biodiversity, photosynthesis, the activity of soil biota, and reduced soil erosion. The habitat with abundant natural enemies makes such continuous support for plant by means of plant indirect defense. Apart from the plants in that habitat under attack from herbivore, they make responses towards natural enemies by producing Herbivore Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs) known as indirect plant defense. might improve the shelters for natural enemies. Increase of non-crop habitats for instance, field margins, fallow land, hedgerows etc. For example, the widely applicable shelter habitats such as beetle banks are suitable over wintering sites for predatory beetles especially for Carabidae, Staphylinidae and spiders. Manipulation of food sources for natural enemies especially honey dew and artificial food spray like sucrose with the supplement of protein helps to enhance the activities of natural enemies, predators and parasitoids. ![]() As a result, the fecundity and longevity of predator and parasitoid are increased. Moreover, plant characteristics especially in long blooming period, larger floral area, maximum flower height, narrow and deepest corolla and higher number of open flower increase the accessibility of nectar or pollen for natural enemies. The intensification of agricultural practices disturbed the diversity of ecosystem and ultimately reduced the abundance of natural enemies and consequently diminished the efficacy of biological control of pests in a particular ecosystem. The rate of parasitism is higher in diverse ecosystems than in non-diverse ecosystems due to the availability of food source, provision of nectar and sugar, as well as alternative hosts. Alternatively, temporary vegetation like horticultural systems decreased the abundance of natural enemies as for monocropping. Landscape composition especially complex and permanent habitat mainly woody vegetation increased the abundance of natural enemies of crop pest. Abstract Enhancement of natural enemies through habitat management developed sustainable pest management systems.
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