Usefulness of biocontrol of pests in tea: A mathematical model

Abstract

Nowadays there has been a growing consciousness among the tea industry to reduce the use of the chemical pesticides for pest control. Predators are beneficial insects that feed on harmful insects and mites, which incur considerable loss of production of tea. In this paper we have considered a tritrophic model consisting of tea plant, pest and predator to analyze different field observations. The effect of discrete time-delay on the tritrophic model is studied critically. The dynamical behaviours are studied both analytically and numerically by computer simulation. Our results suggest some theoretical measures which may be implemented for successful biological control. © 2008 EDP Sciences.