Effect of Ecological Engineering Technique on Population Dynamics of Tungro Vectors and Their Natural Enemies Nur Rosida(a*), Elisurya Ibrahim (a), Diah Arina Fahmi (b), and Muhammad Haikal(a)
(a) Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Cibinong Science Center. Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, KM. 46, Cibinong, Bogor, West Java 16911 Indonesia
*nurr013[at]brin.go.id
(b) Research Center for Behavioral and Circular Economic, Research Organization for Governance, Economy, and Public Welfare, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Gedung B.J. Habibie Lantai 18, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.8, RT 10/RW 10 Central Jakarta 10340 Indonesia
Abstract
Abstract. Currently, the use of pesticides is still the mainstay of farmers to control pests and plant diseases, including the control of green leafhoppers as a tungro virus vector. However, the accumulation of chemical inputs in paddy fields increases the risk to biodiversity and human health. In addition, people^s demands for quality, economical, and safe agricultural products are getting higher. On the other hand, the use of natural enemies to suppress plant pests has the potential to reduce the input of chemical pesticides in rice fields. Currently, predators and parasitoids often do not survive in rice ecosystems due to the absence of shelter or nutritional sources. In this study, we modify the rice ecosystem by combining the use of resistant varieties and conservation of natural enemies (biological agents) through eco-engineering technology which aims to improve natural biocontrol agents for plant protection. In this study, planting refugia plants on rice bunds provides food and shelter to increase the activity of biocontrol agents and reduce the number of pests, while maintaining grain yields. The abundance of predators and parasitoids was significantly different in the eco-engineering technique plot ecosystems compared to the insecticide-treated plots and control plots. In addition, significantly lower tungro virus vector numbers (GLH) and tungro incidence percentages were found in treatments where flowering plants were grown on bunds than in plots where such plants were not grown. This study shows that manipulating natural enemy habitats in rice field ecosystems can maintain rice yield and increase tungro vector suppression while reducing the need for insecticide use.
