ABUNDANCE OF ARTHROPODS INHABITING CANOPY OF RICE CULTIVATED USING DIFFERENT PLANTING METHODS AND VARIETIES

Abstract

Rice varieties and planting methods can affect abundance of arthropods at rice field. This research aimed to analyze effect of planting methods and rice varieties on the abundance of arthropods inhabiting the rice canopy. Two planting methods (drum seeding and broadcast seeding) and 3 varieties (Ciherang, Inpara 4, and Inpari 22), plus 2 plots of farmer’s current practices (with and without trap barrier system) and control plot (without pre-growing herbicide application) were followed. The result of this research indicated that the least phytophagous insects and the highest predatory arthropods abundance were found at the plot of Inpari 22 variety grown using drum seeding methods. At beginning of a rice growing season, the dominant arthropods inhabiting the rice canopy were parasitoids, while throughout the rice growing season, the dominant insects were the phytophagous insects. For sustainable rice cultivation at the tidal lowland in South Sumatra, Indonesia, the recommended practice is the Inpari 22 variety grown using the seeding drum method.