Raw data for: Evaluating the impact of alyssum flower strips on biological control of key pests in flue-cured tobacco agroecosystems

Flue-cured tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum (L.) is often attacked by various
pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and tobacco budworms. Insecticide
application has been the primary method in managing these pests in Yunnan
province. However, it is necessary to look for more sustainable strategies
that can help control pests. In this context, conservation biological
control is a highly promising alternative, involving the cultivation or
conservation of flowering plants within the agricultural ecosystem to
attract and support natural enemies. The objective of this study was to
evaluate the potential of alyssum, Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv. in
attracting natural enemies and managing pests in flue-cures tobacco
cultivation. The study conducted two field experiments over successive
years, each with two treatments and three replicates, arranged in a
completely randomized design. The treatments were (1) tobacco monoculture,
and (2) tobacco intercropped with alyssum flower strips. The population
density of natural enemies and pests was monitored weekly throughout the
study period. The results showed that the presence of alyssum flowers in
the tobacco + alyssum treatment significantly increased the abundance of
generalist predators such as syrphids, rove beetles,
carabids, Orius sp., and spiders during both experiments. This
increase in predator population led to a substantial reduction in tobacco
pests, particularly aphids. Intercropping alyssum with tobacco can serve
as an effective strategy for managing pests specific to the Nicotiana
plant, as well as addressing the limited availability of approved
insecticides for this crop. This approach may help to mitigate
pest-related issues and reduce the reliance on insecticides in tobacco
cultivation, contributing to more sustainable pest management practices.