Cerruti R.R. Hooks

Research

My research interests primarily include the application of ecological theories and use of natural enemies in the development of management strategies for insect pest. For years, ecologists have debated the theory that increased biodiversity fosters stability among arthropod populations, and therefore reduce injury to plants imposed by phytophagous insect pests. When additional plant flora is added to an agroecosystem, the complexity of the plant and arthropod community is amplified. Therefore, predicting population dynamics of herbivores and natural enemies within the system becomes an arduous task. My specific interest includes determining mechanisms underpinning arthropod responses to habitat manipulation and using this information to concomitantly enhance the effectiveness of natural enemies, suppress crop pests, and improve marketable crop yields. A further aim is to integrate ecological pest management tactics with other insect management strategies (e.g., biological control, host plant resistance, etc.). My overall research goal is to establish pest management systems that incorporate and centers on biological and ecological control but are not too disruptive to current crop protection practices.

Most cropping systems are attacked by a variety of pest organisms. In addition to insects, weeds, plant-parasitic nematodes, and other plant pathogens pose great challenges to the development of more ecologically sound sustainable farming systems. However, these pest complexes are typically researched as separate entities. The creation of a comprehensive integrated pest management program requires that these complexes be addressed in tandem. For example, a management practice that successfully suppresses a targeted insect pest could enhance levels of organisms such as nematodes that are injurious to the cash crop. My research interests include taking an interdisciplinary research approach to develop pest management strategies that suppress above and below ground crop pests concurrently. I strongly believe this approach enhances the opportunity to improve the overall economic and ecological sustainability of farming communities.

Extension

My extension aims which are similar to my research goals include introducing production practices to growers and other stakeholders that offer multiple production benefits. Thus, my goal includes establishing an integrated extension alliance. This alliance would consist of researchers and extension specialists representing several agricultural disciplines (e.g., plant pathologist, soil scientist, etc.). The aim of the alliance would be to improve the economic and ecological sustainability of the farming community through interdisciplinary extension efforts. Additionally, it has been suggested that the cause of pest management failure is not always the fault of growers, but may be traced to research or extension outreach levels. If researchers, extension personnel, and growers interact more closely, perhaps this will reduce the number of pest management failures.

A final extension interest is to teach and encourage farmers to independently conduct simple on-farm studies so that they may not have to completely rely on the findings of others. It is an arduous task for extension and research personnel to address all farmers’ production problems through individual research projects. The obtainment of credible facts through simple on farm testing may provide farmers the information required to improve the economical viability of their cropping system through simple changes in production and pest management practices.