Influence of crop biodiversity and architecture on disease incidence, abundance of pest and their natural enemies in chilli agroecosystem
2001
Husein, M.Y. (Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor (Malaysia). Dept. of Plant Protection) Norani, A.S.
The Natural Enemies and Resource Concentration theories predict the lesser number of pests and vectors but greater number of natural enemies will be present in diverse cropping systems. To test these theories, replicated field experiments were conducted at Universiti Putra Malaysia experimental farm with the prime objective of finding a practical way to controlling Aphis gossypii, a vector of chilli viral diseases through intercropping and natural biological control. The field results confirmed that Cilli Vienal, Mottle Virus, and Cucumber Mosaic Virus infection were higher and spread faster in Chilli monoculture than diculture (chilli and maize/brinjal/longbean) and triculture (chilli, brinjal and Leucaena sp.). Correspondingly, the populations of natural enemies, especially coccinellid predators (Monochilus sexmaculatus) are higher and arrived earlier in diverse crop culture than in single crop culture. Crop biodiversity along with mixed plant architecture has led to insect biodiversity which is desirable in integrated pest management (IPM) system. The findings are now being considered in designing appropriate strategies for IPM of aphids and chilli viruses under small and land commercial farms
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