PENGARUH VARIASI JENIS DAN PELETAKAN REFUGIA TERHADAP KEMELIMPAHAN SERANGGA PADA EKOSISTEM SAWAH

The kind and refugia placement are very important in agroecosystem engineering, but research that combines the two in rice field is unknown. Therefore, the study aims to examine; (1) the effect of variations in the kind and refugia placement on the insects abundance in rice cultivation; and (2) the treatment which has most potential in natural pest control based on the natural enemiy diversity. The refugia used were marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and long bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), while variations of the refugia placement were on the edges and in the middle of the rice planting. Each treatment consisted of 3 replicate plots. Observations of insects were carried out every 3 weeks in one planting season. The results showed that variations in the kind and refugia placement had a significant effect on insect abundance. The treatment of marigold refugia in the middle of rice planting has most potential in natural pest control because it has the highest natural enemy diversity index, so it can create a more stable agro-ecosystem.