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Hortec weather stations
and iLeaf software
iLeaf is an integratedweather data interpretation software
for the agriculture and irrigation industries
iLeaf is desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile phone friendly
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ARTHROPODS
ORDER
NO. OF MORHOSPECIES CA NO. OF INDIVIDUALS
CONVENTIONAL
NO. INDIVIDUALS
Coleoptera (beetles)
79
19 294
10 059
Hymenoptera (wasps,
bees and ants)
24
981
548
Aranea (spiders)
18
448
128
Hemiptera (bugs)
22
228
85
TABLE 1: THE MOST ABUNDANT ORDERS FOR THE PAST THREE GROWING SEASONS WITH THEIR NUMBER OF MORPHOSPECIES
AND INDIVIDUALS.
Results from this experiment can be used
to determine if CA provides potential eco-
system services through controlling insect
pest with beneficial insects.
The total percentage predation of the Chilo
borer larvae by beneficial predators differs
significantly (P = 0,003) between CA and
conventional farming (
Graph 3
). Although
no significant difference was observed
with the percentage predation on Chilo bor-
er pupae (
Graph 4
), the predation was still
higher in CA compared to the conventional
system.
It is clear from data compiled that arthro-
pods react to the conditions surrounding
them. Therefore, the habitat of beneficial
insects must be protected and maintained
by leaving crop residue on the ground. CA
practices support the increase and build-up
of natural enemy population.
Ecosystem services depend on arthropod
movement, abundance and diversity across
agricultural landscapes at different scales.
The biodiversity is higher in CA than con-
ventional practices and a high-
er diversity relates to increased
ecosystem services.