<![CDATA[Unsustainable agroecosystem management may increase crop susceptibility to pests and diseases while disrupting ecological balance. This study was conducted at the Jatimulyo Experimental Field, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya, to evaluate the effects of two cultivation systems, namely the Semi Agroecosystem Management System (MAES) and the conventional farming system. The study assessed arthropod diversity and functional roles, the intensity of northern corn leaf blight and common rust diseases, vegetative growth, sweet corn productivity, and the economic feasibility of both cultivation systems. The results demonstrated that the MAES approach, which integrates sweet corn–mung bean intercropping with biological control agents, significantly enhanced arthropod diversity, particularly the abundance of natural enemies that contribute to biological pest regulation. In addition, MAES reduced the severity of leaf blight and rust diseases, promoted better plant growth, and produced higher husk-free ear weight than the conventional system. However, short-term economic analysis revealed that the conventional system generated greater net profit due to its lower initial variable production costs. Overall, the findings indicate that ecologically based agroecosystem management provides superior ecological stability and improves crop productivity, although it requires a higher initial investment than conventional farming. These results highlight the potential of MAES as a sustainable cultivation strategy for improving agricultural productivity while conserving agroecosystem health.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
