Soil arthropods: the last frontier for entomological research toward sustainable agriculture

Professorial Chair Lecture

Professorial Chair Lecture of Philippine shell Diamond Jubilee Chair

Place

Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, and Curatr, Entomological, Museum of Natural History, University of the Philippines Los Banos

Date

7-30-1997

Abstract

The ecology of Philippine soil arthropods in forests, grass-lands, tree plantations and cultivated fields is reviewed and summarized from mostly unpublished research reports of the author and her thesis advisees for over two decades. The data arose from studies made mainly on Mt. Makiling, Laguna as well as those done in Pantabangan and Munoz, Nueva Ecija and Baybay, Leyte. Density estimates are given for various groups of macro- and microarthropods, but with emphasis on dominant mites. Diversity and dominance patterns of soil mite communities are also detailed for four ecosystems in the Puting Lupa, Calamba, Laguna side of Mt. Makiling, and the various species are classified according to their dominance statue, constancy and fidelity to these ecosystems. The effects of various agricultural practices on density and diversity, especially of mites and collembolans in cultivated fields are discussed. These practices or factors include pesticide application, crop culture, fire or burning, plowing, soil erosion, flooding, fertilization, mulching, hedgerows. and industrial wastes and pollutants. A call is made for entomologists to study the soil subsystem where some biotic interactions may lend IPM even more effective, and to incorporate crop litter management as an integral component of research programs toward achieving sustainability in agricultural production systems. Some areas of research are recommended for entomologists who may take the challenge to study soil arthropods seriously.

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section

Call Number

Sp. Col.

Pages/Collation

45 leaves

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