Geostatistical analysis of fall armyworm damage and edaphoclimatic conditions of a mosaic of agroecosystems predominated by push-pull systems

Abstract

Some agroecological pest management systems manipulate insect behavior. The push-pull systems are the most functional implemented, reducing the insect-pest density and modifying its distribution. The present work analyzed the spatial distribution of incidence and severity of fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and soil moisture and temperature in maize (Zea mays L.) crops of a mosaic of agroecosystems predominated by push-pull systems established in Yautepec, Morelos, Mexico. Univariate and multivariate spatial estimates were performed by geostatistical analysis applying ordinary kriging and cokriging, respectively. The results indicated that FAW incidence and severity presented an aggregated spatial distribution and soil moisture and temperature, a more continuous distribution. The estimated spatial distributions in the third week indicated that FAW incidence in push-pull systems varied between 10% and 40%, and in maize monocultures, between 35% and 90%. Fall armyworm damage severity ranged between 20% and 70% in monocultures and between 1% and 25% in the push-pull systems.