Abstract

The indiscriminate use of pesticides causes detrimental effects on health and the agroecosystem; generates resistance on agricultural pests and directly affects natural enemies and pollinators. In horticultural crops of economic importance such as tomatoes broad-spectrum pesticides are used intensively. Therefore, in the present work the use of hedges and floral bands is studied as it is a sustainable and environmentally friendly pest management. The objective was to evaluate the effect of hedges and floral bands on local natural enemies to reduce agricultural pests of tomato crops, and their contribution to reduce the application of pesticides. The results show that the use of hedges and floral bands increases the number and diversity of natural enemies, which has a positive effect by reducing the population of various agricultural pests. This management reduces the use of pesticides and is beneficial for the biodiversity of the agroecosystem, however, more research are needed in the real conditions of commercial tomato cultivation for its application in the fields. © 2023, Universidad de Tarapaca. All rights reserved.