INFLUENCE OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE PRACTICES ON ARTHROPODS POPULATION

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Date
2015-06
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University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
Abstract
The experiment was conducted to study the response of arthropod fauna to conservation agriculture practices at MARS, UAS, Dharwad during kharif 2014-15. Among different treatments conservation tillage with broad bed and furrow (BBF) with residue retention recorded significantly higher population of earthworms, total meso and macro arthropods (4.10 per 0.25 m2, 26.19 per 100 g of soil and 3.11 per trap respectively) followed by conservation tillage with BBF and crop residue incorporation (3.29 per 0.25 m2, 21.32 per 100 g of soil and 2.77 per trap) and least in conventional tillage with flat bed and no residue mulch (1.04 per 0.25 m2, 8.45 per 100 g of soil and 1.42 per trap). While, population of earthworms and soil meso arthropods were highest during August and September in all cropping systems. Among different cropping systems pigeonpea intercropped with soybean recorded higher population of earthworms, soil meso and macro arthropods (3.05 per 0.25 m2, 18.90/100 g of soil and 2.40 per trap respectively). However, least number was recorded in sole cotton (1.87 per 0.25 m2, 15.13/100 g of soil and 1.99 per trap respectively). With respect to above ground arthropod population, defoliators in soybean was least in pigeonpea + soybean than cotton + soybean. Per cent gall weevil incidence was lower in pigeonpea + soybean compared to sole pigeonpea. The sucking pests, mirid bugs and shoot weevil damage was highest in sole cotton compared to cotton + soybean and cotton + groundnut while, higher natural enemy population was found in intercropping systems. Totally 11 predatory birds were observed in conservation agriculture field compared to conventional fields where only 5 bird species observed commonly. Shannon’s index was highest in conservation tillage plots (0.606) but least in conventional tillage plots (0.510). Within cropping systems pigeonpea + soybean (1:2) recorded higher diversity (0.581).
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