Biodiversity can replace pesticides in pest control
Published: Monday, Oct 7th 2024, 12:30
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Biodiversity instead of pesticides: A new field study by the University of Zurich concludes that biodiversity within a plant species can be used to control pests.
Plants interact with the individuals around them - just like humans, the University of Zurich (UZH) announced on Monday. For example, if people in the environment are susceptible to infections, their own risk of infection increases. "However, if they are resistant, it decreases," the press release explains.
The same apparently also applies to plants, as the researchers discovered. When different genetic types of the same species are planted together, certain combinations are more resistant to pests and diseases. This positive effect on biodiversity is known as "associative resistance".
As pests and diseases threaten harvests, chemical pesticides are used in agriculture. However, pesticides could reduce the diversity of insect species, according to the press release. In this context, "associative resistance" as a cultivation method could help to secure food production and promote biodiversity at the same time.
UZH describes this study as a "milestone" in research into the interactions between plant individuals. It shows how important biodiversity is. Firstly, the genetic diversity of crops can itself reduce pest infestation. Secondly, fewer pesticides in agriculture would help to preserve biodiversity - including insects.
The researchers spent two years conducting large-scale trials on the Irchel campus of UZH and in Japan.
©Keystone/SDA
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