Weeds as viable habitat for arthropod species in croplands of central Punjab | [Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences • 2011]

Author(s):

1. Tahira Ruby: Department of Zoology & Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN

2. Shahnaz Akhtar Rana: Department of Zoology & Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN

3. Naureen Rana: Department of Zoology & Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN

4. Talat Perveen Inayat: Department of Zoology & Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN

5. Nadeem Abbas Khan: Department of Zoology & Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN

6. Muhammad Javed Iqbal Siddiqui: Government Islamia Degree College, Faisalabad, PAKISTAN

Abstract:

Weeds are considered a limiting factor of crop production. Simultaneously, these non-crop plants are a portion of the agricultural ecosystem and play an essential role as viable habitat for many organisms, including bio-control agents. Utilizing the quadrate method, sugarcane, fodder, wheat and mustard croplands were sampled for one year to determine the weed flora and arthropods living among it. Twenty weed species and eight major arthropod orders were found to be present. The majority of the weed plants were broad-leaved, while some were grass-like. A review of literature on Central Punjab weeds uncovered depicted a considerable change in the weed flora over few decades. This could be related to the intensive and extensive farming in the area, which has this increased over the few decades along with the construction of an extensive irrigation canal system. These alterations may have caused drastic changes in the soil structure and climate of the region. Most of the phytophagous arthropod species used weed plants as food. In turn, these were fed upon by a few zoophagous arthropod species that also utilized the weeds for shelter and oviposition. Thus, weeds have a specific role within the agroecosystem by supporting local biodiversity.

Page(s): 145-152

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Volume: 48, Issue: 2, Year: 2011

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