Purpose To construct a technique evaluation for the ecological effects of large-scale release of Aphidius gifuensis in tobacco fields as a biological control measure against Myzus persicae, providing scientific underpinning for the large-scale release of natural enemies in pest management.
Methods Between 2016 and 2017, a systematic investigation was conducted based on tobacco fields in Longyang District of Baoshan City and Midu County in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, where A. gifuensis had been released long-term for M. persicae control, as well as in tobacco fields without such releases. A questionnaire survey among tobacco farmers was carried out to identify and screen the relevant ecological effect evaluation indicators. Subsequently, an ecological effect evaluation model for the release of A. gifuensis for M. persicae control was constructed using the analytic hierarchy process.
Results An ecological effect evaluation technology and model of large-scale release A. gifuensis for M. persicae control was constructed, consisting of seven target layers, 19 criterion layers and 76 index layers, which based on effects on tobacco field biodiversity, and other Aphidius species and other major natural enemies of aphids, A. gifuensis adaptability, colonization possibility, existence possibility, effect on human and animal health and plant safety, and population expansion and establishment possibility. Using this model, the ecological effect values of A. gifuensis released from tobacco fields in Midu County and Longyang District in 2016 were 2.65 and 2.51, respectively; in 2017, the ecological safety values of the tobacco field released A. gifuensis were 2.56 and 2.50, respectively, which was consistent with the ecological effect assessment in 2016.
Conclusion The model established in this study can be used to evaluate the ecological effects of A. gifuensis large-scale release for M. persicae control in tobacco fields.
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