IMPACT OF WEEDS ON DIVERSITY OF SOIL ARTHROPODS IN Bt COTTON FIELD IN FAISALABAD PAKISTAN
IMPACT OF WEEDS ON DIVERSITY OF SOIL ARTHROPODS IN Bt COTTON FIELD IN FAISALABAD PAKISTAN
Iqra Munir1, Abdul Ghaffar2, Asad Aslam2, Muhammad Khuram Shahzad1 and
Muhammad Jafir3
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted to verify the impact of weeds on diversity of soil
arthropods in Bt cotton field by using Randomize Complete Block Design with four
treatments and three replications at the Research Area of Department of Entomology,
University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. Treatments consisted of different
combinations of weeds and control group. Total 228 samples were collected and from these
samples 14 different taxons of soil arthropods were reported and from these taxa, mites
showed the highest diversity index. Maximum diversity of soil arthropods was recorded
(H´=2.07) from Trianthema portulacastrum (horse purslane vern. Itsit) + Echinochloa
colona (Jungle rice vern Swanki) and minimum diversity of soil arthropods was recorded
(H´=1.90) from T. portulacastrum + Amaranthus viridis (green amaranth vern. chulai)
Maximum mean richness of soil arthropods (S=3.18±0.24) was reported from T.
portulacastrum + Chenopodium murale, while minimum mean richness of soil arthropods
(S=3±0.23) was reported from the Control group. Maximum mean abundance of soil
arthropods (14.7±4.11) was reported from T. portulacastrum + Echinochloa colona while
minimum mean abundance of soil arthropods (11.5±2.26) was reported from control group.
The data showed that the plots which had weeds provided most favorable environment for
soil arthropods and in turn enhanced the arthropods diversity. The maximum temperature
was positively correlated with the diversity of soil arthropods. Further studies are suggested
to confirm our findings.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
March 2020
Vol. 26, Iss. 1
