Agricultural pheromones are chemicals produced and released by plants and insects that elicit a specific response in other individuals of the same species. Pheromones are widely used in agriculture to monitor and control pest populations and manipulate plant development processes. They work as airborne signals and play a crucial role in communication between individuals.
Uses of Pheromones in Pest Monitoring
Pheromone traps are one of the main tools used by farmers and agricultural researchers for pest monitoring. These traps contain synthetic versions of female insect pheromones that attract males of the target pest species. As males accumulate in the traps, farmers can assess population levels in fields over time. This allows them to determine if pest numbers have reached economic thresholds that warrant control measures. It is a non-chemical way to monitor hundreds of important pest insects affecting various crops.
Agricultural Pheromone are particularly useful for monitoring moth and beetle pests. For example, codling moth traps use codlemone pheromone to monitor populations of this key pest of apple and pear orchards. Monitoring with pheromone traps helps precisely time insecticide sprays only when needed, reducing overall pesticide use. Similarly, fruit tree leafroller moths and grape berry moth are monitored using sex pheromones in traps. This helps orchardists and viticulturists better manage these pests.
Pheromones in Mating Disruption Applications
Another major use of agricultural pheromones is in mating disruption programs. Here, very high quantities of synthetic female pheromones are dispensed over broad areas using dispensers or aerial applications. The goal is to confuse male insects, making it difficult for them to locate calling females for reproduction. Without being able to mate, pest populations crash over subsequent generations.
This approach is effective against many key lepidopteran pests, including oriental fruit moth, codling moth, leafroller moths, grapes berry moth, and other species. Mating disruption fails pests from causing economic damage by way of mass trapping of males. It provides a culturally friendly alternative to conventional insecticides in many cropping systems worldwide like orchards, vineyards, berry fields and Christmas tree plantations.
For example, large area-wide mating disruption programs have successfully controlled codling moth in many apple and pear growing regions of North America, Europe and elsewhere. Similarly, major table grape growers in California utilize mating disruption very effectively against grape berry moth, an important vineyard pest that is becoming resistant to some insecticides. Mating disruption allows organic and conventional growers to base their pest control on non-chemical modes of action.
Pheromone-Based Attractants and Repellents
Another exciting application of pheromones involves their use as attractants or repellents in manipulation of beneficial insect behavior. Predatory bugs and parasitic wasps are important natural enemies that help control many agricultural insect pests. Scientists have identified alarm, aggregation, and sex pheromones of various beneficial species that can help promote their parasitization or predation functions in cropping systems.
By luring natural enemies into crops using synthetic versions of their pheromones, farmers can boost the numbers of beneficials available to curb pest outbreaks. Similarly, pheromones have potential as tools to repel insect pests from entering or feeding on crops. Identification of volatile cues that elicit avoidance or deterrence responses could open up new non-toxic pest management tactics. Researchers are investigating such approaches for enhancing biological control and developing repellency-based cultural controls.
Use of Pheromones in Induced Resistance
Plant scientists have also started exploring agricultural uses of inducible plant defenses stimulated by herbivore-induced plant volatiles or HIPVs. When insects begin feeding on a plant, the damaged tissues release specific volatile blends that act as aerial signals. Nearby undamaged plant tissues or other members of same species can perceive these HIPV signals.
In response, the signaled plants chemically strengthen their own natural defenses before the herbivores reach them. This phenomenon, called induced or primed resistance, helps plants ward off subsequent pest attacks more effectively. Knowing the active HIPVs involved, researchers are studying options to trigger induced resistance in crops through carefully timed applications of specific synthetic HIPV blends. This could provide a new generation of resistance traits in major commodities.
agricultural pheromones offer remarkable opportunities for improving integrated pest management programs and developing more sustainable production methods. From monitoring pest dynamics and employing non-toxic mating disruption to enhancing biological control and triggering natural plant defenses, pheromone applications continue to expand our toolkit against crop losses from insect pests and pathogens. With ongoing research, future generations of farmers may rely strongly on such biochemical tools to fulfill global food demands while protecting the environment.
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About Author:
Alice Mutum is a seasoned senior content editor at Coherent Market Insights, leveraging extensive expertise gained from her previous role as a content writer. With seven years in content development, Alice masterfully employs SEO best practices and cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to craft high-ranking, impactful content. As an editor, she meticulously ensures flawless grammar and punctuation, precise data accuracy, and perfect alignment with audience needs in every research report. Alice's dedication to excellence and her strategic approach to content make her an invaluable asset in the world of market insights.
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