IPM: Species Biodiversity in the Garden Promotes Effective Integrated Pest Management Results

 We grow many Florida native plant species alongside our FAMU pilot project hemp (x Hepius & x Master Kush).  

The native wildflower, Rudbeckia hirta growing next to a FAMU pilot hemp x Hepius 

We've found the richer the growing area is with respect to plant species biodiversity, the more beneficial insects we notice foraging or taking up communal presence in the garden.

Hemp can be negatively affected by caterpillars and here in North Florida we have so many different types of caterpillars throughout the year.

Parasitoid wasps are helpful in controlling caterpillars by laying eggs in the caterpillar, using the living caterpillar as a larval host.  Parasitoid wasps are often attracted to the growing areas because of the presence of mint plants, like the native Monarda punctata.  Wildflowers also offer beneficial insect attraction potential.

In our hemp and food gardens, native plants and wildflowers are important components of our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.  We believe diversity in species not only plays an important role in pest management but also helps create high quality, unique niche plant product through environmental and epigenetic factors.

IPM is a comprehensive, environmentally safe approach to managing pests. It integrates different pest control methods to achieve long-term pest management solutions while minimizing the harm to people and the environment. Biodiversity in plants plays a critical role in this approach for several reasons:

1. Habitat for Beneficial Insects and Organisms: Different plant species attract different types of insects and other organisms, including those that are beneficial for pest control, such as ladybugs, spiders, and predatory mites. These beneficial insects and organisms feed on pests, helping to keep their populations in check.

2. Resilience to Pests: A diverse garden with a variety of plant species can be more resilient to pests. If a pest does become a problem, it is less likely to wipe out an entire crop because different plants are often susceptible to different pests.

3. Disease Resistance: Just as with pests, different plant species have varying degrees of resistance to different diseases. Having a diverse range of plant species can help prevent the spread of disease in a garden or agricultural field.

4. Crop Rotation and Intercropping: These are two techniques that rely on plant biodiversity. Crop rotation involves changing the type of crop planted in a particular area each season, which can help prevent pests and diseases that favor specific crops. Intercropping, on the other hand, involves growing different types of plants together, which can help deter pests.

5. Healthier Soil: Biodiversity also contributes to healthier soil. Different plants contribute different nutrients to the soil and have different effects on its structure and microbial life. A diverse range of plants can thus help maintain a healthy, balanced soil ecosystem that can contribute to pest management.

6. Cover Crops and Green Manures: Some plants can be used as cover crops or green manures. These plants are grown not for harvest but to improve soil health, suppress weeds, and manage pests and diseases. They can be an integral part of an IPM approach.

In conclusion, plant biodiversity is a crucial component of integrated pest management. It helps create a balanced, healthy ecosystem that can naturally keep pests in check while also providing other environmental benefits.