| title: | The effectiveness of entomophags and entomopathogenes in the natural control of pests in oilseed rape and cabbage fields depending on the sort, variation and diversity of the surrounding vegetation of the cultures in ecological and intensive cultivation conditions |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF4993 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
4.2. Crop Sciences (inc. Horticulture) |
| status: | completed |
| institution: | Estonian Agricultural University |
| head of project: | Luule Metspalu |
| duration: | 01.01.2002 - 31.12.2005 |
| description: | In the present project the stress will be laid on the relations of entomophags, predatory insects and entomopathgenic organisms with their hosts: pests on cruciferous plants like rape and cabbage. The project will investigate the specific composition and abundance of beneficial organisms active in rape and cabbage fields, but at the same time it will also complete the existing knowledge about their biology, ecology and phenology in Estonia. The attention will be mainly given to natural control against the most widely spread rape and cabbage pests in Estonia: crucifider flee beetles (Phyllotreta spp.), pollen beetles (Meligethes spp.), cabbage seedpod weevils (Ceuthorrhynchus spp.), cabbage butterflies (Pieris spp.), cabbage moths (Mamestra brassicae), and cabbage flies (Delia brassicae). The aim of the present project is to provide a scientific argumentation, proven by test and observation data, for an environment-sparing growing regime of rape and cabbage. By means of the project it will be endeavoured to maximize the role of the biological regulation of pest populations and minimize the use of pesticides. An essential task is to find ways for promoting the distribution of entomophags, predatory insects and entomopathgenes in rape and cabbage fields and their surroundings and creating favourable conditions for the reproduction of beneficial organisms. The results of the project will be both a theoretical and practical argumentation for the suitability of ecological agriculture in Estonia. The applicable results of the project will be practical recommendations for the increase of the effectiveness of the biological control of rape and cabbage pests, both in ecological and intensive cultivation. The knowledge obtained would permit the elaboration of a strategy of environment-sparing agriculture where beneficial organisms are employed. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Külli Hiiesaar | Est.Agr.Univ. | sen.res.sci | |
| 2. | Juhan Jõudu | Est.Agr.Univ. | professor | |
| 3. | Aare Kuusik | Est.Agr.Univ. | sen.res.sci | |
| 4. | Luule Metspalu | Estonian Agricultural University. Institut of Plant Protection | head. of the laboratory | |