Molecular Entomology 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 69-77 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 72 Figure 1 Plant diseases and insect pests on the grain yield of spring barley and spring wheat (Adopted from Kauppi et al., 2021) 4.2 Biological control Biological control leverages natural enemies such as predators and parasitoids to manage herbivorous insect populations. For example, the use of synthetic herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) can attract natural enemies like parasitoids and predatory insects to the crop, enhancing biological control (Simpson et al., 2011; Stetkiewicz et al., 2022). Transgenic crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins also play a role by reducing the need for chemical insecticides, thereby benefiting natural enemy populations (Bažok et al., 2022). Conservation and augmentation strategies aim to maintain and enhance the populations of natural enemies. The 'attract and reward' approach, which combines HIPVs to attract beneficial insects and nectar plants to sustain them, has shown promise in increasing the abundance and residency of natural enemies in crops like sweetcorn and broccoli (Simpson et al., 2011). Such strategies can be integrated into pest management programs to reduce reliance on chemical controls and promote sustainable agriculture. 4.3 Cultural control Cultural control methods, including crop rotation and field management, are essential for managing herbivorous insects in barley. Rotating barley with non-host crops can disrupt the life cycles of pests, reducing their populations. Effective field management practices, such as maintaining soil health and removing crop residues, can also minimize pest habitats and reduce infestations (Hill et al., 2017). Adjusting the timing of planting and harvesting can help avoid peak pest populations. For instance, planting barley early in the season may allow the crop to establish before pest populations reach damaging levels. Similarly, timely harvesting can prevent pests from completing their life cycles within the crop, thereby reducing their impact. 4.4 Integrated pest management (IPM) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in barley involves a combination of chemical, biological, and cultural control methods to manage pest populations sustainably. The principles of IPM include monitoring pest populations, using economic thresholds to guide control decisions, and integrating multiple control strategies to minimize the reliance on any single method (Romeis et al., 2006). Successful IPM implementation in barley has been demonstrated through the use of Bt-transgenic crops, which reduce the need for chemical insecticides and support biological control by natural enemies (Simpson et al., 2011). Additionally, the 'attract and reward' approach has shown potential in enhancing biological control in various crops, suggesting its applicability in barley cultivation as well. These case studies highlight the importance of integrating diverse control methods to achieve effective and sustainable pest management.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==