Diverse cropping systems lead to higher larval mortality of the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum).

ABSTRACT: Root herbivores pose a major threat to agricultural crops. They are difficult to control and their damage often goes unnoticed until the larvae reach their most devastating late instar stages. Crop diversification can reduce pest pressure, generally without compromising yield. We studied how different diversified cropping systems affected the oviposition and abundance of the specialist cabbage root fly Delia radicum, the most important root herbivore in Brassica crops. The cropping systems included a monoculture, pixel cropping, and four variations of strip cropping with varying intra- and interspecific crop diversity, fertilization and spatial configuration. Furthermore, we assessed whether there was a link between D. radicum and other macroinvertebrates associated wi

SUBMITTER: Karssemeijer PN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10161186 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature