Ecological management of insect pests using cover crops in field crops and vegetables
Date
2013-08
Authors
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Narrator
Transcriber
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
[Honolulu] : [University of Hawaii at Manoa], [August 2013]
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
This dissertation researched diversified cropping systems created through habitat management techniques, exploring whether these habitats would alter pests' behavior and/or enhance beneficial insects, and contribute to suppress pest and disease complexes in corn production systems.
An exploratory study through small-scale field experiments determined sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) as the potentially the most suitable species for further study. In the preliminary studies, sunn hemp intercropping reduced incidence of hopperburn and Maize mosaic virus (MMV) symptomatic plants caused by Peregrinus maidis feeding, and increased parasitism of Helicoverpa zea eggs by Trichogramma spp. on the corn silks. The reduced incidence of hopperburn and MMV was attributed to an increase in P. maidis within-field activity, resulting in reduced initial colonization on corn plants. The results showed a suitable intercrop might be useful for management of persistent viruses, which are usually considered unmanageable by habitat management to cropping systems.
On the basis of these preliminary studies, experiments were conducted in large-scale field with a higher corn-to sunn hemp intercropping ratio to validate results and possibly contribute new pest management options for large-scale corn production systems. Increase in within-field P. maidis activity with resulting in lower incidence of MMV symptomatic plants in the sunn hemp-intercropped treatments were consistently similar to results that were obtained from small-scale field experiments. This strategy may contribute an important component of integrated pest management for reducing spread of persistently transmitted viruses in large-scale corn production systems.
Greater parasitism of H. zea eggs by Trichogramma spp. in sunn hemp-intercropped treatments was consistently similar to that obtained from small-scale field experiments. These results suggested growing strips or patches of suitable cover crop may help in sustaining the populations of beneficial insects at the time of pest outbreaks. Augmentative biological control (releases of Trichogramma pretiosum in corn monoculture) resulted in a greater parasitism of H. zea eggs, and increased ear yield compared to habitat management (sunn hemp-intercropped). This result suggested H. zea management is important component to achieve economic yield and augmentative biological control is a more effective tool than the habitat management in cornfields.
Description
Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2013.
Includes bibliographical references.
Includes bibliographical references.
Keywords
Trichogramma
Citation
Extent
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Theses for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Entomology.
Related To (URI)
Table of Contents
Rights
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Collections
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.