This research area will assess the effect of reduced agrochemical inputs on the fluctuations in population density of insect pests and microbial or fungal pathogens associated with each crop, and will monitor the interaction between these pests, their natural enemies and potential non-crop host plants.

Above and below ground pests and pathogens will be surveyed across all crops and treatments during the growing season. Changes in population densities will be related to soil and environmental variables and the abundance of natural enemy populations.