Assessing the impact of agroecological practices on ecosystem services and crop productivity in open-field tomatoes in Greece

Abstract: Tomato is an important crop both globally and in Mediterranean countries.
Agroecological farming practices aim to enhance functional biodiversity to support ecosystem
services and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. Our study investigates the impact of
agroecological practices and boosting functional biodiversity, on the population dynamics of
major tomato pests and important natural enemies, and the productivity of the tomato crop in open-field cultivation systems in Greece. Over three years we evaluated agroecological
practices based on companion plants – phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) and buckwheat
(Fagopyrum esculentum) planted alongside tomatoes – and the application of the soil beneficial fungus, Trichoderma harzianum T22. In addition, we compared the agroecological approach with the conventional approach. Throughout the growing season, insect sampling was conducted in both the agroecological and the conventional experimental fields using Malaise traps and visual observations. Data collection focused on parasitoids, wasps, bees, syrphid flies (Syrphidae), and predatory insects of the family Miridae. Simultaneously, populations of the main tomato pests were recorded. In the agroecological system, the individual and combined effects of the companion plants and fungus on tomato plant physiology and growth were also assessed. Our results suggest that the agroecological approach enhanced functional biodiversity, increased the abundance and diversity of beneficial insects, and reduced pest pressure, while also boosting tomato growth and crop productivity. This study aims to develop an agroecological tomato cultivation model that utilizes and strengthens functional biodiversity in order to enhance ecosystem services and crop productivity with minimal inputs.