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ViewAttendees 2

Section Symposium

Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

Lessons from Insects: How Entomology Has Contributed to the Promise of Sustainable Agriculture

Ecological intensification in tropical systems: Evidence for long-term stable and resilient agricultural systems

Tuesday, November 7, 2023
9:05 AM - 9:20 AM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Maryland 3-4
In-Person

    Presenting Author(s)

  • KP

    Katja A. Poveda

    Associate Professor
    Cornell University
    Ithaca, New York

    • Co-author(s)

  • DN

    Dickens Nyagol

    International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology
    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

  • TL

    Tim Luttermoser

    Cornell University
    Ithaca, New York

  • EA

    Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman

    International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology
    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

  • YC

    Yann Clough

    Lund University
    Lund, Skane Lan, Sweden

  • MJ

    Mattias Jonsson

    Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    Uppsala, Uppsala Lan, Sweden

  • ZK

    Zeyaur R. Khan

    International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology
    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

  • WM

    Wilhelm May

    Lund University
    Lund, Skane Lan, Sweden

  • CM

    Charles Midega

    Poverty and Health Integrated Solutions
    Kisumu, Nyanza, Kenya

  • BM

    Bester T. Mudereri

    International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology
    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

Ecological intensification is a sustainable agricultural method that utilizes biodiversity to maximize productivity while minimizing negative environmental impacts. While ecological intensification methods are believed to be stable and resilient system, there is a lack of research investigating the long-term effectiveness of these methods under varying climatic and landscape conditions. In this study, the push-pull system in Western Kenya was analyzed to assess the impact of time since establishment, as well as changes in environmental factors, on pest levels (insects and parasitic weeds) and crop yields. The study utilized 1880 data points, spanning 476 farmers and 24 cropping seasons. Results demonstrated that pest levels decreased over time in both push-pull and nearby control fields, while maize yields increased in push-pull fields over time. Additionally, the push-pull system demonstrated stability even when exposed to changes in climate and landscape conditions. These findings indicate that ecologically intensified agriculture may resist pest adaptation over time and is highly stable under varying biotic and abiotic conditions, resulting in consistently high crop yields.