Evaluation of the Effect of Various Biopesticides on the useful Arachno Entomofauna of the Apple Orchard in the Southeast of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Currently, Kazakhstan is actively researching the greening of the protection of apple orchards from lepidopteran pests. In this regard, biological preparations of various origins were tested. The aim was to study their impact on useful non-target arachno entomofauna (entomophagous insects and pollinators). During the research, both classical methods used in entomology and plant protection, and original modifications were used. In the south-east of Kazakhstan, in the agrobiocenosis of an apple orchard, an assessment of the effects of biological preparations was carried out: Phytoverm ® K.E. (aversectin C, a natural mixture of four avermectins B1a, A1a, A2a, B2a, produced by Streptomyces avermitilis microorganisms), Greene Gold, 0.3% by weight (admiration), Entolek Planteco K ® (Akanthomyces lecanii), and Lepidocide ® S.K. (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) on entomophagous insects of harmful lepidoptera and pollinators. The greatest decrease in the number of indicator species was observed in the variants with azadirachtin and avermectin. It is concluded that when these bioinsecticides are used together with entomophagous insects and pollinators, it is necessary to draw up and apply special step-by-step schemes with a time interval between the treatment with a biological product and the release of entomophagous insects or pollinators in summer. It is also desirable to study these drugs in more detail in terms of their prolonged action, not only on entomophagous insects and pollinators but also on soilforming agents, in the conditions of Kazakhstan. Biological preparations based on Bacillus thuringiensis and Akanthomyces lecanii had almost no negative effect on the number of entomophagous insects and pollinators. When choosing biologics for use against harmful lepidoptera in apple orchards in the south-east of Kazakhstan, it is advisable to focus on these bioinsecticides as having a more sparing effect for non-target arachno entomofauna.

Development of Environmentally Friendly Protection Measures Against Pests and Diseases

“…Kazakhstan's transition to this new paradigm focuses on improving the efficiency of agricultural production through the introduction of environmentally friendly systems of plant protection against pests, which provides a solution to the problem of organic agriculture production (Temreshev et al, 2023). We believe that the results of scientific research on the development of advanced agro technologies and the implementation of an environmentally friendly set of protective measures against pests will serve as an important step towards the production of environmentally friendly (organic) products (Alimbekova et al, 2021).…”