Insects' Biodiversity Associated with Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Crop : Biodiversity of Insects associated with Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Crop Agroecosystem in the Punjab, Pakistan

Studies pertaining to the biodiversity of insects associated with rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop agroecosystem were conducted in two successive rice growing seasons (from May to October in 2006 & 2007) in the Kallar tract (consisting of three districts viz., Sialkot, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura) the traditional rice growing area of the Punjab, Pakistan. The studies were focused to collect and identify the insects and compare species richness, abundance and other diversity components of insect fauna collected, by using various sampling techniques, from rice fields (cv. Super basmati) with low input (LIP:organic) and high input (HIP:conventional). The overall conclusion is that LIP organic rice farming system not only produced reasonable rice harvest but also supported a significantly higher insect diversity and abundance, including declined species, than HIP farms. It should, therefore be appreciated, encouraged and popularized to a greater extent by Government, Media and NGOs'.