THE INTERACTION BETWEEN WEED AND ARTHROPODS OF AGROFORESTRY ECOSYSTEMS IN CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA

Abstract

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The province of Central Java, Indonesia, hosts various well-developed agroforestry systems. <strong>Objective. </strong>To explore the interaction of weed diversity on the diversity of soil arthropods, specifically in four stations based on distinct ecosystems, namely teak (<em>Tectona grandis</em> L.f.) based agroforestry, complex agroforestry, cajeput (<em>Melaleuca cajuputi</em> (L.) Powell.) based agroforestry, and teak monoculture. <strong>Methodology.</strong> Data was collected from February to June 2022 in Geyer District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia, using the point interception method for weed vegetation and the pitfall trap method for soil arthropods. <strong>Results.</strong> The results showed that the dominant species observed in the agroforestry and monoculture ecosystems differ. <em>Cynodon dactylon</em> L.Pers. is the most dominant weed in all three agroforestry ecosystems, while <em>Imperata cylindrica</em> Beauv is the most dominant in teak monoculture. <em>Oecophylla smaragdina </em>F., an ant species locally known as <em>rangrang</em>, was the most dominant insect at all four stations. The Poaceae family was shown to be the most prevalent weed species on all stations. However, the agroforestry system displayed a greater variety of arthropods. <strong>Implications.</strong> The results of this study indicate that in agroforestry systems, the diversity, distribution, and density of soil-based arthropods are intimately related to the specific weed species that have evolved mutually beneficial interactions. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> This phenomenon demonstrates the intricate interplay between different species and the interspecies affinity within the community.</p>