The role of biodiversity in the dynamics and management of insect pests of tropical irrigated rice - a review

Biodiversity relevant to pest management of tropical irrigated rice pests is discussed in terms of variation within rice plants, rice fields, groups of rice fields and rice associated ecosystems. It is concluded that, in the unique cropping conditions and stable water supply of tropical irrigated rice, the manipulation of a relatively few manageable components of diversity can confer stability such that pests are mostly kept at levels which do not justify the use of insecticides. Durable rice plant resistance, including moderate resistance, together with ability to compensate for damage by certain key pests, are regarded as fundamental to successful biological control by the natural enemy complex. Reliable natural enemy action is also considered to depend on all-year-round continuity of prey or hosts made possible by the relatively short fallow periods between staggered two to three rice crops per year and by proximity of certain non-rice habitats, notably the vegetation-covered bunds (levées) surrounding each field. In contrast, synchronous cropping could upset stability by destroying the continuity needed for natural enemy success. Such conclusions are supported by the experience of farmers who use little or no insecticide. Much evidence on destruction of natural enemies by certain insecticides supports the contention that insecticide use, especially early in the crop season, upsets natural enemy control of insects such as Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and also creates heavy selection pressure for strains of pests that can overcome previously resistant rice cultivars. Such circumstances create outbreaks of secondary pests and impair biological control of some key primary pests such as stem borers. It is concluded that pest management of much tropical irrigated rice must be based on natural controls rarely supplemented by insecticides.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Way, M. J. autor/a, Heong, K. L. autor/a
Format: Texto biblioteca
Language:eng
Subjects:Arroz, Diversidad biológica, Control de plagas,
Online Access:https://ricehopper.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/way-and-heong-19941.pdf
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Summary:Biodiversity relevant to pest management of tropical irrigated rice pests is discussed in terms of variation within rice plants, rice fields, groups of rice fields and rice associated ecosystems. It is concluded that, in the unique cropping conditions and stable water supply of tropical irrigated rice, the manipulation of a relatively few manageable components of diversity can confer stability such that pests are mostly kept at levels which do not justify the use of insecticides. Durable rice plant resistance, including moderate resistance, together with ability to compensate for damage by certain key pests, are regarded as fundamental to successful biological control by the natural enemy complex. Reliable natural enemy action is also considered to depend on all-year-round continuity of prey or hosts made possible by the relatively short fallow periods between staggered two to three rice crops per year and by proximity of certain non-rice habitats, notably the vegetation-covered bunds (levées) surrounding each field. In contrast, synchronous cropping could upset stability by destroying the continuity needed for natural enemy success. Such conclusions are supported by the experience of farmers who use little or no insecticide. Much evidence on destruction of natural enemies by certain insecticides supports the contention that insecticide use, especially early in the crop season, upsets natural enemy control of insects such as Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and also creates heavy selection pressure for strains of pests that can overcome previously resistant rice cultivars. Such circumstances create outbreaks of secondary pests and impair biological control of some key primary pests such as stem borers. It is concluded that pest management of much tropical irrigated rice must be based on natural controls rarely supplemented by insecticides.