Diversity and Defence: Plant–Herbivore Interactions at Multiple Scales and Trophic Levels

Integrated pest management for sustainable rice cultivation: a holistic approach

“…However, hybrid rice may be more tolerant of herbivore damage, which represents a major advantage for natural pest regulation in well-managed rice production systems, but also a potential drawback because it creates a reservoir for diseases, including insectvectored rice viruses (Horgan, 2012;Horgan et al, 2016a). Knowledge of the weaknesses of hybrid rice has led researchers to seek new sources of male sterility without associated planthopper susceptibility (Horgan and Crisol, 2013); however, faster growth rates and the nutrient demands of hybrids may continue to make these more attractive to herbivores (Price, 1991;Horgan et al 2016a).…”

“…For example, rice plants can vary in their tolerance to herbivore and parasite attack (Horgan, 2012). Tolerance is the ability of a plant to compensate for damage (Horgan, 2012;Horgan et al, 2016a). Some rice plants may also turn-on ineffective resistance pathways in response to pest attack (Agarrwal et al, 2014).…”

“…Such screening studies are often effective, particularly where they identify varieties that are novel for a target pest population (normally indicated by low damage compared to susceptible rice varieties). A novel variety might include a variety that is phenologically distinct from the main varieties in the region of interest (the target region) and therefore represents a barrier to dispersal and to successful attack by the target pest (Horgan, 2012). Routine screening of this type appears to be successful in reducing damage from rice planthoppers in some parts of Asia (Widawski et al, 1998;Horgan and Crisol, 2013).…”

“…Rustic storage facilities in developing countries are at higher risk from storage pests; here biocontrol agents, pheromone traps, botanical repellents and simple but cheap physical controls can considerably reduce losses from insects (Philips and Throne, 2009). In many cases, traditional exclusion methods including grain store designs and traditional construction methods may be effective against rat damage to stored rice (Sarangi et al, 2009) Following the development of Bt transgenic crops with resistance against chewing insects, transgenic resistance became the major focus of research into reducing stem borer and leaf folder damage to rice (31% and 26% of all published studies, respectively) (Horgan 2012). Transgenic rice expressing lectins, protease inhibitors and venoms have also been considered to combat rice planthoppers and other rice pests (Murdock and Shade, 2002;Chen et al, 2012).…”

“…However, there is a broad range of possible interactions between pests and their rice host, each with potential benefits or trade-offs for pest management. For example, rice plants can vary in their tolerance to herbivore and parasite attack (Horgan, 2012). Tolerance is the ability of a plant to compensate for damage (Horgan, 2012;Horgan et al, 2016a).…”