Effect of crop management on the incidence of Meligethes aeneus Fab. and their larval parasitism rate in organic and conventional winter oilseed rape
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences,Kreutzwaldi 1, 51014 Tartu, Estonia; e-mail: eve.veromann@emu.ee
Abstract:
The occurrence of Meligethes aeneus adults, larvae and larval parasitism rate was studied in organic and conventional winter oilseed rape fields in Estonia. No insecticides were used in fields with either management. In the conventional field, significantly more M. aeneus adults and larvae were found than in the organic field, whereas the larval parasitism rate was significantly greater in the organic winter rape field. This study showed that organic cropping system enhanced the occurrence of parasitoids and diminished the incidence of pest attack in winter oilseed rape.
Key words:
larval parasitism, Meligethes aeneus, organic and conventional cropping system, winter oilseed rape