A Framework for Identifying Selective Chemical Applications for IPM in Dryland Agriculture

Insects

Paul A. Umina²  Sommer Jenkins²  Stuart McColl¹  Aston Arthur¹  Ary A. Hoffmann²  Michael J. Stout³  Jeff Davis³  Rodrigo Diaz³ 

[1] cesar Pty. Ltd, 293 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; E-Mails:;School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; E-Mails:School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia;

关键词: pesticide;    pests;    toxicity;    invertebrate;    agro-ecosystems;   

DOI  :  10.3390/insects6040988

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Shifts to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in agriculture are assisted by the identification of chemical applications that provide effective control of pests relative to broad-spectrum pesticides but have fewer negative effects on natural enemy (beneficial) groups that assist in pest control. Here, we outline a framework for identifying such applications and apply this framework to field trials involving the crop establishment phase of Australian dryland cropping systems. Several chemicals, which are not presently available to farmers in Australia, were identified as providing moderate levels of pest control and seedling protection, with the potential to be less harmful to beneficial groups including predatory mites, predatory beetles and ants. This framework highlights the challenges involved in chemically controlling pests while maintaining non-target populations when pest species are present at damaging levels.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.