The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review

Biodiversity relevant to pest management of tropical irrigated rice pests is discussed in terms of variation within rice plants, rice fields, groups of rice fields and rice associated ecosystems. It is concluded that, in the unique cropping conditions and stable water supply of tropical irrigated ri...

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Main Authors: Way, M.J., Heong, K.L.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Cambridge University Press 1994
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/166158
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author Way, M.J.
Heong, K.L.
author_browse Heong, K.L.
Way, M.J.
author_facet Way, M.J.
Heong, K.L.
author_sort Way, M.J.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Biodiversity relevant to pest management of tropical irrigated rice pests is discussed in terms of variation within rice plants, rice fields, groups of rice fields and rice associated ecosystems. It is concluded that, in the unique cropping conditions and stable water supply of tropical irrigated rice, the manipulation of a relatively few manageable components of diversity can confer stability such that pests are mostly kept at levels which do not justify the use of insecticides. Durable rice plant resistance, including moderate resistance, together with ability to compensate for damage by certain key pests, are regarded as fundamental to successful biological control by the natural enemy complex. Reliable natural enemy action is also considered to depend on all-year-round continuity of prey or hosts made possible by the relatively short fallow periods between staggered two to three rice crops per year and by proximity of certain non-rice habitats, notably the vegetation-covered bunds (levées) surrounding each field. In contrast, synchronous cropping could upset stability by destroying the continuity needed for natural enemy success. Such conclusions are supported by the experience of farmers who use little or no insecticide. Much evidence on destruction of natural enemies by certain insecticides supports the contention that insecticide use, especially early in the crop season, upsets natural enemy control of insects such as Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and also creates heavy selection pressure for strains of pests that can overcome previously resistant rice cultivars. Such circumstances create outbreaks of secondary pests and impair biological control of some key primary pests such as stem borers. It is concluded that pest management of much tropical irrigated rice must be based on natural controls rarely supplemented by insecticides. The success of this approach depends in particular on further research on dynamics of natural enemy and pest communities in rice ecosystems, especially where climatic conditions and water supply are marginally stable. Much more needs to be known about the nature and utilization of rice plant compensation for damage, particularly by defoliators and stem borers. The justification for, and supplementary use of, insecticides needs to be radically reassessed. There is no evidence that a natural control-based approach, as recommended in this review, is incompat ible with farmer practicability or with future developments in rice production technology, except perhaps the possible mechanization-driven increase in field size which would decrease bund area. In contrast, the insecticide-based approach is not only harmful to natural controls but is costly and mostly demands impracticable decision making by farmers on need-based use.
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spelling CGSpace1661582025-05-14T10:39:49Z The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review Way, M.J. Heong, K.L. insect pests biological control irrigated rice tropics Biodiversity relevant to pest management of tropical irrigated rice pests is discussed in terms of variation within rice plants, rice fields, groups of rice fields and rice associated ecosystems. It is concluded that, in the unique cropping conditions and stable water supply of tropical irrigated rice, the manipulation of a relatively few manageable components of diversity can confer stability such that pests are mostly kept at levels which do not justify the use of insecticides. Durable rice plant resistance, including moderate resistance, together with ability to compensate for damage by certain key pests, are regarded as fundamental to successful biological control by the natural enemy complex. Reliable natural enemy action is also considered to depend on all-year-round continuity of prey or hosts made possible by the relatively short fallow periods between staggered two to three rice crops per year and by proximity of certain non-rice habitats, notably the vegetation-covered bunds (levées) surrounding each field. In contrast, synchronous cropping could upset stability by destroying the continuity needed for natural enemy success. Such conclusions are supported by the experience of farmers who use little or no insecticide. Much evidence on destruction of natural enemies by certain insecticides supports the contention that insecticide use, especially early in the crop season, upsets natural enemy control of insects such as Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) and also creates heavy selection pressure for strains of pests that can overcome previously resistant rice cultivars. Such circumstances create outbreaks of secondary pests and impair biological control of some key primary pests such as stem borers. It is concluded that pest management of much tropical irrigated rice must be based on natural controls rarely supplemented by insecticides. The success of this approach depends in particular on further research on dynamics of natural enemy and pest communities in rice ecosystems, especially where climatic conditions and water supply are marginally stable. Much more needs to be known about the nature and utilization of rice plant compensation for damage, particularly by defoliators and stem borers. The justification for, and supplementary use of, insecticides needs to be radically reassessed. There is no evidence that a natural control-based approach, as recommended in this review, is incompat ible with farmer practicability or with future developments in rice production technology, except perhaps the possible mechanization-driven increase in field size which would decrease bund area. In contrast, the insecticide-based approach is not only harmful to natural controls but is costly and mostly demands impracticable decision making by farmers on need-based use. 1994-12 2024-12-19T12:55:55Z 2024-12-19T12:55:55Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/166158 en Cambridge University Press Way, M.J.; Heong, K.L. 1994. The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review. Bull. Entomol. Res., Volume 84 no. 4 p. 567-587
spellingShingle insect pests
biological control
irrigated rice
tropics
Way, M.J.
Heong, K.L.
The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review
title The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review
title_full The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review
title_fullStr The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review
title_short The Role of Biodiversity in the Dynamics and Management of Insect Pests of Tropical Irrigated Rice--A Review
title_sort role of biodiversity in the dynamics and management of insect pests of tropical irrigated rice a review
topic insect pests
biological control
irrigated rice
tropics
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/166158
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