Habitat manipulation at different spatial scales for conservation biological control in organic vegetable crops

Abstract

This study presents the consolidated results obtained between 2011 and 2015 regarding the
effect of agroecological management at different spatial scales on biological control in organic
vegetable cropping systems. It was evaluated how the presence of different habitat in the property
affect natural enemies conservation and the ecological service of biological control in the
crops. It was also evaluates how vegetations diversification could affect the behavior of natural
enemies. Landscapes with a greater diversity of cultivated and non cultivated habitat contributed
to natural enemies conservation and favored their performance in the control of pest
populations. Locally in crops, the vegetation diversification and less intensive management
practices favored the biological control. Therefore, pest management in organic vegetables
should consider management practices at different spatial scales and in an integrated way.