HABITAT MODIFICATION WITH REFUGIA BLOCKS FOR IMPROVING ARTHROPOD RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY IN PADDY FIELD

One effort to improve the productivity of organic rice focuses on habitat modification for sustainable pest management. The objective of this study was to compare the composition and diversity of Arthropoda on organic land with habitat modification and conventional habitats. The study was conducted in organic red rice paddy fields in Gondanglegi, Malang District, Indonesia in June to September 2018. Two locations were selected for this treatment. Habitat modification was done with planting refugia blocks while the control was wild grass (without refugia plants) as the control. The refugia plants were planted in a side of field border consisted of common zinnia (Elegans zinnia), the chili (Capsicum frutescens), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), the ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), the wild cosmos (Cosmos caudatus), tomato (Solanum licopersicum). The observations were conducted by using visual encounter surveys. This survey was conducted 3 times (08.00-09.30; 12.00-13.30; and 15.00-16.30) a day on each of the 6 plots in paddy fields. The surveys were carried out in 42, 47, 48, 51, 52, 66, 68, 70, 74, 76 days after replanting (DAR). The abundance of Arthropods in treatment plots increased slightly from 48 DAR to 52 DAR, then stabilized and decreased at 75 DAR. In control plots, the abundance increased from 48 to 51 DAR then decreases to 70 DAR and rises again at 74 DAR. Average of arthropod visitors in treatment plots was 26.7 individuals, while those in the control were 24.63 individuals. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference (p> 0.05) on the abundance of Arthropod visitors. The average Arthropod richness in treatment plots was 10.18, while those in the control was 6.06