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@article{191436,
        author = {Dr. Keshamma E and Dr. Sharada Devi JN},
        title = {Comparative Efficacy of Floral Refuges in Enhancing Natural Enemy Assemblages in Horticultural Crops},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {6607-6615},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=191436},
        abstract = {The use of floral refuges holds good future potential in enhancing the population of natural enemies in Indian horticultural crops with intensive pest problems. The primary objective of this review is to assess their relative effectiveness in increasing predator and parasitoid communities in important crops such as tomatoes, brinjal, okra, chilli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, capsicum, mango and banana, where whiteflies, borers, thrips, aphids, and hoppers are the significant losses in the yields. This methodology uses the synthesis of secondary data on peer reviews and uses thematic analysis to determine patterns in pest dynamics, refuge performance, and interaction of stress in the conditions of protected cultivation and climate variability. Protected systems increase the levels of pressure exerted by pests (limiting their enemy habitats) and increase assemblage caused by ladybirds, syrphids, wasps, hoverflies and spiders with nectar and pollen in ornamental borders (marigolds, basil, dill, nasturtiums, lavender, sunflowers and native Leucas aspera). Non-Bt refugia reduces the resistance on a delay basis, and abiotic tolerance is promoted by the use of hormones such as salicylic acid and melatonin to indirectly maintain biocontrol. There are still gaps in crop-specific experimentation and agro-climatic adaptation, that is, promoting the concept of integrated IPM to reduce the use of pesticides and achieve sustainable production.},
        keywords = {Floral refuges, Refugia, Natural enemies, Predators, Parasitoids, Pests, Horticultural crops},
        month = {January},
        }