Evaluation of eco-friendly rice fields based on indicator organisms

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24580079
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied entomology
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: UENO Takatoshi 九州大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (60294906)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 農生態系 / 生物多様性 / 天敵利用 / 環境保全型農業 / 指標種

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study investigates whether beneficial organisms like insect natural enemies could be good biological indicators for general arthropod biodiversity and agricultural practice. Field survey was made to evaluate the abundance and biodiversity of natural enemies in rice paddies where chemical inputs, i.e., insecticide use, were different. The results showed that reduction of chemical inputs led to an increase in species richness or diversity of natural enemies including parasitoids and predators. Then, the data were analyzed to examine suitable indicator species to assess environmental soundness of agricultural practice and biodiversity in rice paddies. The density of several species of natural enemies did respond both to pesticide use and to general arthropod biodiversity. The analyses thus have indicated that natural enemies can be suitable as bio-indicators. Usefulness of indicator species in rice paddies is discussed in the context of ecologically sound agriculture.

Free Research Field

応用昆虫学