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Huffaker revisited: spatial heterogeneity and the coupling of ineffective agents in biological control.

ABSTRACT: In a classic study, Huffaker demonstrated that abiotic forms of spatial heterogeneity could induce stability in predator-prey interactions. Recent theories suggest that space can also act to destabilize predator-prey systems and that stability can arise from coupling of unstable units. Here, using Huffaker's classic experimental design refitted with modern empirical and statistical techniques, we reassess the effect of space on predator-prey interactions when the prey are pests of agriculture, and when predators must compete with pathogens for shared prey resources. Using an empirical system including aphids, ladybird beetles and entomopathogenic fungi, we show that while two different control agents were ineffective at controlling pests in insolation, coupling them together not only improved control of the pest, but also reduced the occurrence of large, spatially-clustered pest outbreaks. Our results suggest that as agriculture becomes increasingly isolated and consolidated across landscapes, endogenous forms of spatial heterogeneity, which arise from interactions between diverse assemblages of control agents, may break down. We suggest that improving connectivity across landscapes is important for maintaining effective biological control in agroecosystems.

SUBMITTER: Ong TWY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6294135 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Huffaker revisited: spatial heterogeneity and the coupling of ineffective agents in biological control.

Ong Theresa Wei Ying TWY Allen David D Vandermeer John J

Ecosphere (Washington, D.C) 20180724 7

In a classic study, Huffaker demonstrated that abiotic forms of spatial heterogeneity could induce stability in predator-prey interactions. Recent theories suggest that space can also act to destabilize predator-prey systems and that stability can arise from coupling of unstable units. Here, using Huffaker's classic experimental design refitted with modern empirical and statistical techniques, we reassess the effect of space on predator-prey interactions when the prey are pests of agriculture, a ...[more]

PMID: 30555729

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Project description:In the last century, the banana crop and industry experienced dramatic losses due to an epidemic of Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) race 1. An even more dramatic menace is now feared due to the spread of Foc tropical race 4. Plant genetic resistance is generally considered as the most plausible strategy for controlling effectively such a devastating disease, as occurred for the first round of FWB epidemic. Nevertheless, with at least 182 articles published since 1970, biological control represents a large body of knowledge on FWB. Remarkably, many studies deal with biological control agents (BCAs) that reached the field-testing stage and even refer to high effectiveness. Some selected BCAs have been repeatedly assayed in independent trials, suggesting their promising value. Overall under field conditions, FWB has been controlled up to 79% by using Pseudomonas spp. strains, and up to 70% by several endophytes and Trichoderma spp. strains. Lower biocontrol efficacy (42-55%) has been obtained with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Bacillus spp., and non-pathogenic Fusarium strains. Studies on Streptomyces spp. have been mostly limited to in vitro conditions so far, with very few pot-experiments, and none conducted in the field. The BCAs have been applied with diverse procedures (e.g., spore suspension, organic amendments, bioformulations, etc.) and at different stages of plant development (i.e., in vitro, nursery, at transplanting, post-transplanting), but there has been no evidence for a protocol better than another. Nonetheless, new bioformulation technologies (e.g., nanotechnology, formulation of microbial consortia and/or their metabolites, etc.) and tailor-made consortia of microbial strains should be encouraged. In conclusion, the literature offers many examples of promising BCAs, suggesting that biocontrol can greatly contribute to limit the damage caused by FWB. More efforts should be done to further validate the currently available outcomes, to deepen the knowledge on the most valuable BCAs, and to improve their efficacy by setting up effective formulations, application protocols, and integrated strategies.

Dataset Information

Huffaker revisited: spatial heterogeneity and the coupling of ineffective agents in biological control.

Publications

Huffaker revisited: spatial heterogeneity and the coupling of ineffective agents in biological control.

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