Effects of organic fertilizers on alternative prey and species diversity in irrigated lowland rice ecosystem

Issue Date

10-2011

Abstract

To attain stable pest management in most irrigated lowland rice in the tropics, strategies must be based on natural control rarely supplemented by insecticides (Way and Heong, 1984). This however, depends on the continuous availability of alternative prey leading to the increase in population of generalist predators that can establish within a crop before the arrival and establishment of insect pests later. Population density of groups of arthropods increases in response to high organic matter in the soil (Settle, 1996). Study in Vietnam showed that composted animal manure affected rice plant growth and minimized outbreaks of pests like brown planthopper, stemborer, leaffolder, blast and sheath blight (Chau and Heong, 2005). Lately, Chen (2008) found that addition of 2 tons of composted manure at the beginning of the reasons significantly reduced stem borer damage during the reproductive stage of crop growth. Moreover, earlier studies in vegetable organic farms indicated a greater diversity of arthropod species and an abundance of natural enemies (Predators and parasitoids) compared to non-organic farms. It further concluded that vegetable organic farming practice can promote biodiversity and may sustain productivity. It is therefore important to determine if it contributes in attaining a sustainable pest management system in irrigated rice environment.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

25

Issue

2

Page

208

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ARHTROPODA; IRRIGATED RICE; PREDATION; ORGANIC FERTLIZERS; SOIL ORGANIC MATTER; PEST MANAGEMENT

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