METHODS AND TOOLS TO MANAGE PESTS

Managing pest populations is extremely important in any crop production. Pests can cause different types of damage, which we basically divide into direct and indirect damage.

Direct damage includes:

1. yield loss, which occurs because the plants have died completely (in the case of seed damage at germination or root), because their leaf mass is damaged (due to the pests feeding on the leaves) or because they have lost their vitality (which occurs due to the pests feeding on the plants by sucking on them), making assimilation more difficult; all of which result in lower yields.
2. (b) Reduction in product quality, which includes qualitative changes in the composition of plant products (e.g. aphid infestation on carrots leads to poor taste of carrots)

Indirect damage includes:

1. Transmission of plant pathogens - in some cases pest damage opens the way for pathogen infection, and in some cases (aphid) pests actively transmit pathogens (viruses).
2. Decreased market value of the product due to contamination by pests or their secretions (in the case of caterpillars, the presence of caterpillars and / or their droppings, the presence of honeydew when infesting aphids, moths, etc.)
3. Reduced assimilation due to the appearance of smut fungi covering the leaves and fruit on which honeydew has remained

To prevent the damage described above and to avoid creating conditions for uncontrolled growth of pest populations, which may lead to increased damage in future years, pests must be actively controlled. The basic components of active pest control are shown in Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1.Basic elements of the active pest control

Measures to prevent pest infestations

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the agro-technical practices that contribute to prevention of pest outbreaks.
• Implement the appropriate agro-technical practice that contributes to the prevention of pest outbreaks.

Measures to prevent pest infestations, such as ensuring good growing conditions for plants to improve their adaptability and resistance to pests, and measures to improve the natural mechanisms of ecosystem self-regulation by promoting the development of natural enemies are described in detail in Chapter 2.

In organic farming, active pest management must be carried out. This means that organic farming is organized in such a way that the maintenance process of biological pest control is carried out during the production of each crop. The conservation biological control is not focused on a specific, single pest species. It represents a holistic approach to production and involves the implementation of various procedures aimed at the conservation of natural enemies of pest species, which has a positive impact on biodiversity.

Adherence to good agricultural practice measures generally has a positive impact on natural enemies. Of the good agricultural practice measures, compliance with crop rotation is the most important. In addition, particular emphasis is placed on ensuring minimum land cover, which ensures good conditions for the development of natural enemies. The maintenance of landscape features also has a positive effect on natural enemies, i.e. the maintenance of hedgerows, which provide important refuge area for natural enemies. The protection of permanent pastures is also important for maintaining the population of natural enemies. On the other hand, proper management of crop residues can also reduce pest infestations. In addition to these measures, there are several practices that further ensure and strengthen the natural mechanisms of self-regulation.

One important measure is attracting insectivorous birds to crops, as they can significantly reduce pest numbers. For their support avenues of trees can be planted along fields and birdhouses can be placed in plantations. To attract birds of prey that hunt species of larger insects, harmful birds (e.g. Sturnus vulgaris), mice, rats, etc. T-shaped stakes can be placed in or next to crops.

Another important measure is the maintenance of linear or areal structures or measures called maintenance of ecological infrastructure. The uncultivated and unseeded edges along crops favor the development of natural flora and fauna, maintain the balance and increase the number of natural enemies. It is proved that the activity zone of ants and ground beetles is 50 m from the place of residence. Weasels and turtles are active within a radius of 150 m and hedgehogs within a radius of 250 m. According to findings from France, 2-3 times more animal species are found in orchards surrounded by hedges, which has a positive effect on self-regulating mechanisms.