Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate the importance of plant diversity in insect management in agroecosystems.The conventional management of agroecosystems is based on monoculture, with exploitation of plant genotypes susceptible to pests and diseases, with intense use of agrochemicals and soil mechanization. The impact on agroecosystem biodiversity by intensifying agronomic practices results in losses of important ecological functions: decomposition, nutrient cycling, predation and parasitism. The potential of plant diversity in the sustainability of agroecosystems is recommended through practices such as intercropping, agroforestry systems, management of cover crops, spontaneous herbs and the use of plants attractive to natural enemies and as pest traps. Farm planning should take into account some level of plant diversification to avoid pest insect outbreaks. Thus, it will be possible to reduce pesticides in conventional system, and reduce the number of interventions with alternative substances in farm in agroecological systems.
Highlights
The objective of this study is to evaluate the importance of plant diversity in insect management in agroecosystems.The conventional management of agroecosystems is based on monoculture, with exploitation of plant genotypes susceptible to pests and diseases, with intense use of agrochemicals and soil mechanization
The potential of plant diversity in the sustainability of agroecosystems is recommended through practices such as intercropping, agroforestry systems, management of cover crops, spontaneous herbs and the use of plants attractive to natural enemies and as pest traps
Farm planning should take into account some level of plant diversification to avoid pest insect outbreaks
Summary
O potencial da diversidade vegetal na sustentabilidade dos agroecossistemas é recomendado através de práticas como o consórcio de cultivos agrícolas, sistemas agroflorestais e manejo de plantas de coberturas (Altieri et al 2009; Aguiar-Menezes, 2010; Sujii et al, 2010; Letourneau et al, 2011; Souza, 2012; Paleologos & Flores, 2014). Os termos utilizados para definir a associação de plantas em agroecossistemas são o facilidade de colonizar e permanecer sobre plantas que estão em maior disponibilidade em área com monocultura do que em ambientes diversificados (Andow, 1991). Dessa forma, são citados: a confusão ou repelência causada por odores de plantas, bem como o contraste de cores, que podem dificultar a colonização; o inseto possui dificuldade de localizar consórcio de culturas e o policultivo. Além da associação de espécies de plantas cultivadas são manejadas: as plantas de cobertura de solo, a vegetação espontânea, a influência de matas ou a planta preferida por existir maior área para explorar devido a presença de outras plantas; efeitos do microclima (sombreamento, proteção do vento, temperaturas, insolação) sobre pragas e inimigos naturais; a migração de insetos e seus inimigos naturais de áreas no entorno com matas. As principais causas citadas para maior abundância de florestas no entorno, a sucessão e rotação de culturas
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