Pest management services through conservation of biological control agents: review, case studies and field experiences. Issue 10 (3rd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verghese, Abraham; Sreerama Kumar, Prakya; Devi Thangam, Suresh; Radhakrishnan, Senthil Kumar; Krishna Kumar, Nallur Kothandaraman; Pommaiah Shetty, Gopalakrishna
• Is Part Of: Biocontrol science and technology. Volume 28:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: 961
• Page End: 969
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03
• Subjects: Refugia -- habitat manipulation -- insectivorous birds -- microorganisms; Pests -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Weeds -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Pesticides -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Plants, Protection of -- Periodicals; Plants -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Agricultural pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Pest Control, Biological -- Periodicals; 632.96
• DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2018.1510900
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-3157

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Conservation biological control is an approach to enhance the efficacy of natural enemies by ensuring their availability in an agro-ecosystem on a long temporal scale. An increased survival often leads to better fecundity and improved behaviour of the natural enemies, which in turn ensures sustainable pest management. This paper, apart from being a concise review of conservation biological control, deals with selected India-specific case studies and field experiences on habitat manipulation and refugia. Results from a Bengaluru-based study during 2012–2015 on conservation biological control in an organic mango ecosystem are also presented. It also dwells briefly on conservation of insectivorous birds and touches upon conservation biocontrol with respect to entomopathogenic microorganisms and plant disease antagonists.