To improve plant resistance to pests, we analysed the impact of various agronomic practices on the number and species diversity of pests in the crops of spring wheat varieties of foreign and Kazakhstan breeding in North- Eastern Kazakhstan.
The intensive development of agriculture, resulting in the new technological flow processes of wheat growing, the sowing of foreign varieties not previously cultivated under local conditions, and climate change contribute to the formation of new food chains in agrocenoses. These new food chains require the monitoring of plant-feeding species with the help of ecological approaches and techniques.
Efficient protection of crops with plant feeders requires constant updating on the phytosanitary in agrocenoses. Information on phytosanitary monitoring previously carried out in the region is not available, so it became necessary to collect data and analyse the number and species composition of wheat pests, considering new foreign varieties and cultivation technology practices.
The research was carried out in 2021 in typical agricultural organisations of the North-Eastern regions of Kazakhstan with different preceding crops. The vegetation period was characterised by high atmospheric temperatures and a lack of moisture in the soil in spring and summer, contributing to decreasing of plant turgor and damage resistance.
Early sowing of the ‘Triso’ wheat variety was affected by high temperatures and lack of soil moisture in the initial stage of development, which delayed its growth and made it more susceptible to pest damage. The other varieties were sown in optimal dates recommended by regional scientific institutions.