Diversity of Natural Enemies in Corn - Soybean Intercropping with Different Plant Compositions

Abstract

Intercropping is one of the polyculture crop cultivation techniques. Polyculture cropping system can increase the diversity of insects. This research aims to determine the effect of different plant composition of soybean and corn on the diversity and abundance of natural enemies. This research was carried out using a single factor experimental method arranged in a single plot field design. The treatment tested was the plant composition of soybean and corn which consisted of 4 compositions setting as treatment i.e., 2:1, 3:1. 4:1 and 5:1. In addition, monoculture soybeans and monoculture corn were also planted for comparison. Observation and sampling of natural enemies were carried out using insect sweeping net, yellow pan trap, and pitfall trap. Samplings were done 7 times when the plant at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks old. The results showed that the plant composition of soybean and corn affected the number of species and abundance of insect natural enemies. Nonmetric multidimensional scale analysis shows that there are less differences in the composition of insect natural enemies between different plant compositions.