Agricultural and Forest Entomology (2007) 9, 209-214

Luigi Ponti, Miguel A. Altieri and Andrew Paul Gutierrez (2007)
Effects of crop diversification levels and fertilization regimes on abundance of Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and its parasitization by Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) in broccoli
Agricultural and Forest Entomology 9 (3), 209-214
Abstract: 1 The effects of intercropping via competition on crop yields, pest [cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)] abundance, and natural enemy efficacy were studied in the Brassica oleracea L. var. italica system.
2 From May to December 2004, insect populations and yield parameters were monitored in summer and autumn in broccoli monoculture and polyculture systems with or without competition from Brassica spp. (mustard), or Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (buckwheat), with addition of organic (compost) or synthetic fertilizer.
3 Competition from buckwheat and mustard intercrops did not influence pest density on broccoli; rather, aphid pressure decreased and natural enemies of cabbage aphid were enhanced in intercropping treatments, but this varied with the intercropped plant and season (summer vs. autumn).
4 In compost-fertilized broccoli systems, seasonal parasitization rates of B. brassicae by Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) increased along with the expected lower aphid pressure compared with synthetically fertilized plants.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Andrew Paul Gutierrez

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
environment - cropping system/rotation
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Brevicoryne brassicae	Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
Diaeretiella rapae (parasitoid)	Brevicoryne brassicae	Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)