ISSN 2375-091X
African Journal of Tropical Agriculture ISSN 2375-091X Vol. 2 (6), pp. 083-089, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Highlighted threats to insect biodiversity associated with rice crop agroecosystem
Farzana N. Zubairy
Faculty of Agrotechnology and Food Science, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Email: [email protected]
Accepted 14 May, 2014
Abstract
During a survey and through face to face interviews of rice farmers, their attitudes and substandard farming practices were investigated as threats to insect biodiversity associated with rice crop agroecosystem. Excessive and increasing use of agrochemicals (78.7%) and rice straw burning (68%) along with animal grazing were explored as major threats. Rational use of agrochemicals and legislation about bans of rice straw burning and cattle grazing in harvested rice fields were proposed.
Key words: Insect biodiversity, rice farmers, straw burning, animal grazing.