2078: Landscape Structure and Biological Control in Agroecosystems
(1999) Landscape Structure and Biological Control in Agroecosystems. Science 285. Online at <http://wwwuser.gwdg.de/~uaoe/pdf/paper/Science1999,285.pdf>
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Summary
Biological pest control has primarily relied on local improvements in populations of natural enemies, but landscape structure may also be important. This is shown here with experiments at different spatial scales using the rape pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus), an important pest on oilseed rape (Brassica napus).
The presence of old field margin strips along rape fields was associated with increased mortality of pollen beetles resulting from parasitism and adjacent, large, old fallow habitats had an even greater effect. In structurally complex landscapes, parasitism was higher and crop damage was lower than in simple landscapes with a high percentage of agricultural use.
| Document Language: | English |
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| Keywords: | biological pest control, landscape structure, parasitism, Meligethes aeneus, Brassica napus, field margin strips |
| Subject Areas: | Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection |
| Research affiliation: | Germany > Univ. Göttingen > Agro-Ecology |
| Orgprints ID Number: | 2078 |
| Contact: | Thies, Dr Carsten |
| Deposited On: | 09 January 2004 |
| EPrint Type: | Journal paper in on-line journal |
| Published?: | Published |
| Online at: | http://wwwuser.gwdg.de/~uaoe/pdf/paper/Science1999,285.pdf |
| Peer Review Status: | Peer-reviewed and accepted |
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