| Agroecology applies the theories of ecology to the management of agricultural systems, thereby considering the farm a complex integrated system of components that interact in different ways. Understanding the interactions between components of an agricultural system becomes as important as understanding the components themselves.;The objective of this research was to demonstrate the importance of the interactions between components in a farming system by examining the effects of different methods of weed and fertility input management on the incidence of insect pests and predators and disease. Additionally, attempts were made to define the nature of the interactions between the components studied.;The weed management treatments consisted of recommended herbicides, straw mulch, maintaining weeds below a threshold and a no input control. The fertility input treatment were comprised of 100% recommended inorganic fertilizer, 50% of the recommended rate, composted cattle manure and a no input control. The incidence of insect pests and predators were measured using sticky traps, D-vac suction device, and pitfall traps. Disease incidence was recorded during weekly scouting in the cucumbers and at harvest in the peppers.;The results of the research demonstrated that the choice of weed management or fertility input impacted the incidence of pests, predators and disease. However, inconsistencies in the results made it difficult to define the mechanism behind this impact. In the weed management plots, the amount of plant diversity was important for maintaining populations of insect predators Overall, the mulch treatment provided for balanced numbers of insect pests and predators, the lowest incidence of disease and higher yields. Results from the fertility treatment were less consistent. However, they appeared to support the hypothesis that the balance, rather than the form of nutrients, contribute to plant health and the ability to defend against herbivores. The results indicate that this balance was provided consistently by the compost treatment. The compost treatment plots also had the lowest incidence of disease and the highest yields.;The results indicate that important interactions occur between components of a fanning system. Furthermore, these interactions need to be considered in the design of farm management plan. |
