The study was conducted to determine of effect of weed management level on the abundance of insect natural enemies in cabbage fields. Two levels of weed management were applied in the field, namely with and without herbicide application in two growers cabbage fields in Malino, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Results demonstrated that insect natural enemies were more abundant in the field without herbicide application than those in the field with herbicide application. Five species of predatory insect species were collected from both fields, namely Solenopsis sp, Ophionea sp, Euborellia sp, Cicindella sp and Paederus fuscipes. The herbicide and its surroundings were kept weed-free during the growing season. Four most abundant weed species were found in the field without herbicide treatment including Nasturtium indicum (Brassicaceae), Galinsoga parviflora (Asteraceae), Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae) and Cleome rutidosperma (Capparidaceae

Ngatimin, Sri Nur Aminah

Syatrawati

Widarawati, Rosi

The study was conducted to determine the effect of weed management level on the abundance of insect natural enemies in cabbage fields. Two levels of weed management were applied in the field, namely with and without herbicide application in two growers’ cabbage fields in Malino, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Results demonstrated that insect natural enemies were more abundant in the field without herbicide application than those in the field with herbicide application. Five species of predatory insect species were collected from both fields, anmely Solenopsis sp., Ophionea sp., Euborellia sp., Cicindella sp., and Paederus fuscipes. The herbicide and its surroundings were kept weed-free during the growing season. Four most abundant weed species were found in the field without herbicide treatment including Nasturtium indicum (Brassicaceae), Galinsoga parviflora (Asteraceae), Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae) and Cleome rutidospema (Capparidaceae)

Sri Nur Aminah Ngatimin

Syatrawati Syatrawati

Rosi Widarawati

Directory of Open Access Journals

Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2013[      ]Weed Management on the Abundance of Insect Natural Enemies in a Cabbage Field Sri Nur Aminah Ngatimin (Corresponding author)Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, 90245 IndonesiaTel: +62-81342207945  Fax: +62-411587100  E-mail: srifirnas@gmail.comSyatrawatiState Agricultural Polytechnic, Pangkep, South Sulawesi, 90655 IndonesiaTel: +62-4102312703  Fax: +62-4102312705  E-mail: chatesyatra@gmail.comRosi WidarawatiDepartment of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, East Java, 531232 IndonesiaTel: +62-281638791  Fax: +62-281638791  E-mail: rosi_dara@yahoo.comAbstract:  The study was conducted to determine the effect of weed management level on the abundance of insect natural enemies in cabbage fields.  Two levels of weed management were applied in the field, namely with and without herbicide application in two growers’ cabbage fields in Malino, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Results demonstrated that insect natural enemies were more abundant in the field without herbicide application than those in the field with herbicide application.  Five species of predatory insect species were collected from both fields, anmely Solenopsis sp., Ophionea sp., Euborellia sp., Cicindella sp., and Paederus fuscipes. The herbicide and its surroundings were kept weed-free during the growing season. Four most abundant weed species were found in the field without herbicide treatment including Nasturtium indicum (Brassicaceae), Galinsoga parviflora (Asteraceae), Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae) and Cleome rutidospema (Capparidaceae).   Keywords: Cabbage; refuges; insect natural enemies; weeds 1.  IntroductionCabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is one of the most popular vegetables that are cultivated in many highland areas in Indonesia.  Cabbage can be consumed either in raw salad or cooked vegetable. Fresh cabbage contains vitamins A, C, carbohydrates, proteins, fat, fiber, phosphorus, iron, and potassium (Soufbauf et al., 2010). Cabbage production has to be increased to fulfill the needs of the growing population. However, this effort is faced with many constraints, including limited availability of healthy seeds and insect pest threats. The diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is one the major limiting factors of cabbage cultivation. This insect is considered to be the most damaging pest of crucifers around the world and control costs are estimated to reach US $1 billion annually (Soufbauf et al., 2010).Most cabbage growers rely heavily on insecticide use to control the diamondback moth.  More than 90% of vegetable growers in Malino overuse synthetic insecticides with  65International Journal of Agriculture Systems (IJAS)[      ]dosage and application frequency far above the technical recommendations (Ngatimin, 2009). This practice is very risky because it can cause pest resistance to the insecticide, adverse effects on natural enemies and other non-target organisms, and environmental pollution.  In addition, insecticide application cost can easily constitute 50% of the total cabbage production cost.Previous studies conducted by many workers have shown that cultural practices affect natural enemies of pest insects. Natural enemy abundance can be boosted through noncrop habitat manipulation (Andow 1991; Landis et al,. 2005). Weeds usually grow on the edge of a cabbage field. These plants can act as refugia and provide alternative host, nectar, pollen, and honey dew produced by aphids for natural enemies of insect pests.  The refugia plants can be used to maintain the presence of pests in low population outside of the growing season to conserve insect natural enemies within or around the field (Barberi et al., 2010). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of weed management level on the presence and abundance of insect natural enemies, especially predatory insects in cabbage agrosystem.2.  Materials and Methods   2.1  Description of Study SiteThe study was conducted in two cabbage growers’ fields in Malino, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, from October to December 2010. The field trial site was located about 1,100 m above sea level, with an average rainfall rate of 2,900 mm per year and relative humidity and temperature ranging from 88-90% and 18-25oC, respectively, during the course of the study.  2.2  Cabbage PlantationTwo fields, about 300 m apart to prevent natural enemy movement between the fields, were used in this study. One of the fields was kept free of weeds throughout the planting season by weekly applying herbicide; and the other one was left without any weed control measures to allow the weeds to grow freely. Each field consisted of nine plots (3 x 5 m). Cabbage seedlings (cv. KK-Cross) were transplanted to both fields in early October 2010 with a planting space of 25 x 25 cm. To allow the natural enemy populations to grow, no insecticide was applied in both sites during the planting season.   2.3  Weed IdentificationFrom each plot of the field without herbicide application, five weed plants were sampled, following a diagonal pattern. The plants were covered with a plastic sheath then removed for identification in the laboratory. Identification was based on weed description guides by Everaarst (1981) and Soerjani et al. (1987).   2.4  Insect Collection Natural enemies of insects were collected from cabbage plants in both experiment fields (with and without herbicide application), using a battery-powered vacuum pump. Five plants were sampled following diagonal pattern in each plot. The collection of insect natural enemies began 14 days after transplanting until harvest with an interval of seven days.  All insect natural enemies present on the plant samples 66Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2013[      ]were sucked into vacuum pumps, placed into plastic bottles containing 70% alcohol, and then brought back to the laboratory for identification. Identification was performed under a dissecting microscope (40 - 100 X) and was based on morphological characteristics of the natural enemies as described by Kalshoven (1981) and CSIRO (1991).3.  Results and Discussion 3.1  Natural Enemy Species in Cabbage FieldsFive species of insect natural enemy were collected from cabbage fields through weekly sampling using battery-powered suction vacuum. Average number of insect natural enemies per plant collected throughout the growing season is presented in Table 1. In general, the numbers of natural enemy individuals found in the field without herbicide application were higher than those found in the field with herbicide application. In both fields, the same species of natural enemy were found with similar relative abundance. The most abundant species was Solenopsis sp. (Hymenoptera: Formici dae), followed by Euborellia sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae); Ophionea sp. (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae), Cicindella sp. (Coleptera: Cicindellidae), and Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).    3.2  Weed Species in Cabbage FieldField applied with herbicide was successfully kept free of weeds throughout the growing season.  On the other hand, the field that was intentionally unapplied with herbicide had many different species of weeds.  Among the weeds, there were four most abundant species found in the field (Table 2).  Table 1. Average number of insect natural enemies per plant during the growing season, 2010 Insect Natural Enemies Number of Insect per Plant Species Family Field with Weeds Field without Weeds Solenopsis sp Formicidae 81 12 Ophionea sp. Carabidae 34 10 Euborellia sp. Dermaptera 22 2 Cicindella sp. Cicindellidae 17 5 Paederus fuscipes Staphylinidae  13 2    Table 2. Weed species found in the cabbage field without herbicide application Species Family Nasturtium (Rorippa)  indicum L. Brassicaceae Galinsoga parviflora Cav. Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Cleome rutidosperma DC Capparaceae   Table 1. Average number of insect natural enemies per plant during the growing season, 2010 Insect Natural Enemies Number of Insect per Plant Species Family Field with Weeds Field without Weeds Solenopsis sp Formicidae 81 12 Ophionea sp. Carabidae 34 10 Euborellia sp. Dermaptera 22 2 Cicindella sp. icindellidae 17 5 Paederus fuscipes Staphylinidae  13 2    Table 2. Weed species found in the cabbage field without herbicide application Species Family Nasturtium (Rorippa)  indicum L. Brassicaceae Galinsoga parviflora Cav. Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Cleome rutidosperma DC Capparaceae   67                 Species    Family Nasturtium (Rorippa)  indicum L.  Brassicaceae Galinsoga parviflora Cav. Asteraceae Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Cleome rutidosperma DC Capparaceae  International Journal of Agriculture Systems (IJAS)[      ]  3.3  Populations of Natural Enemies                         The mean number of natural enemy per plant in the field without herbicide application were higher than those in the field with herbicide application throughout the growing season (Figure 1).  In the field without herbicide use, the number of natural enemy individuals was low in the early season, then increased and reached its first peak on 28 days after planting.  In the next two weeks, the number of natural enemy individuals decreased, and then increased to the second peak on 56 days after planting. After, the number steadily decreased towards the end of the season. While the number of natural enemy individuals in the field with herbicide application was lower throughout the growing season.  About 10 individuals of natural enemy per plant were collected for the first three weeks of the season and then decreased towards the end of the season.Five same species of natural enemies were collected from both the experiment fields, with and without use of herbicide, namely Solenopsis sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Euborellia sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae); Ophionea sp. (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae), Cicindella sp. (Coleptera: Cicindellidae), and Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).  Fire ant or scientifically known as Solenopsi sp was the most abundant natural enemy in both types of cabbage fields.  This insect is common in agricultural fields and acts as predator of small invertebrates such as insects and spiders, centipedes and millipedes, earthworms, and other similarly sized prey (USDA, 1993).  The adults are attracted to sugary substances, including honey dew excreted by aphid or whitefly on plant surface and nectar of flower.  Other natural enemies are soil-dwelling insects but their adults also feed on plant nectar and pollens.  Four species of weed that were most abundantly found in the field without herbicide application were N. indicum    Figure 1. The presence of insect natural enemies in the field with native weeds and field clearing   Figure 1. Average number of natural enemy individuals in the cabbage field applied and non-appli d with herbicide. 68Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2013[      ](Brassicaceae), G. parviflora (Asteraceae), A. conyzoides (Asteraceae), and C. rutidosperma  (Capparaceae). All species are perennial and produce flowers.  The weeds are present throughout the year in the field they can provide shelter, food resources, and alternative prey for natural enemies, especially during the time when no crop hosts are available in the field (Wilkinson and Landis, 2005). In addition, insect natural enemies, including ants use plant parts such as stems, bark and root surface as a shelter from extreme environmental condition (Kumschick et al., 2009).  This is probably the main reason why the natural enemies were more abundant in the field where weeds are intentionally allowed to grow compared to field where herbicide was applied.Our results suggested that weed management can be used as an integral part of integrated pest management implemented in cabbage agricultural system.  Weeds have been used to increase the vegetation diversity which in turn helps to enhance the natural enemy population (Altieri and Whitcomb, 2004).  Weed population in a crop can be manipulated in such a way that non-crop vegetation can effectively function as source of natural enemies but without causing adverse effects on the main crop production. For example, weeds are kept as strip plant between crop rows or allowed to grow on the boundaries of the field.  5.  ConclusionThere is a diversification of weed species abundance in the field without herbicide use leading to a successfully enhanced number of natural enemies.  Four species of weeds were found dominant in the cabbage field, namely Nasturtium indicum (Brassicaceae), Galinsoga parviflora (Asteraceae), Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae) and Cleome rutidospema (Capparidaceae).  This perennial non-crop vegetation produces flowers which can become the source of natural enemies present in the fields, including Solenopsis sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Euborellia sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Ophionea sp. (Dermaptera), Cicindella sp. (Coleptera: Cicindellidae), and Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).  Further studies should be conducted to determine how those weeds help to enhance the natural enemy population and how to effectively use the weeds in habitat manipulation to suppress insect pest population in the cabbage plantation.References1. Altieri, M. A. and W. H. Whitcomb. (1979). The potential use of weeds in manipulation of beneficial insects. Hort. Sci. 14: 12-18.2. Andow, D. A. (1991). Vegetational diversity and arthropod population response. Annual Review  Entomology, 36: 561-586.3. Bàrberi P, Burgio G, Dinelli G, Moonen AC, Otto S, Vazzana C and Zanin G. (2010). Functional biodiversity in the agricultural landscape: relationships between weeds and arthropod fauna. Weed Research. 50: 388-401.4. BPS. (2009). Harvested Area, Production and Productivity Cabbage in Indonesia. Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Indonesia. http://www.bps.go.id (Accessed  on March 1, 2010).69International Journal of Agriculture Systems (IJAS)[      ]5. CSIRO. (1991). The Insects of Australia. A Textbook for Students and Research Workers Vol I & II. Division of Entomology. Melbourne University Press, Carlton Victoria Australia. 6. Everaarst,  AP. (1981). Weeds of vegetables in the Highland of Java. London: Institute Horticultural Research. 121p.7. Kalshoven L. G. E. (1981). The Pests of Crops in Indonesia. Revised and Translated by PA van der Laan. Jakarta: PT. New Ichtiar-van Hoeve, Jakarta. 701p.8. Kumschick S., Schmidt-Entling M. H., Bacher, S., Hickler, T., Espadaler., X and Nentwig, W. (2009). Determinants of local ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species richness and activity density across Europe. Journal of Ecological Entomology. 34: 748-754.  9. Landis, D. A., Menalled, F. D., Costamagna, A. C., and Wilkinson, T. K. (2005). Manipulating plant resources to enhance beneficial arthropods in agricultural landscapes. Weed Science. 53: 902-908.10. Langmaack M, Schrader S and Helming K, (2001). Effect of mesofaunal activity on the rehabilitation of sealed soil surface. Journal of Applied Soil Ecology. 16(2): 121-130.11. Soerjani M, Kostermans AJGH and Tjitrosoepomo G. (1987). Weeds of Rice in Indonesia. Hall Book, Jakarta. 716 p.12. Soufbaf M, Fathipour Y, Karimzadeh J and Zalucki MP, (2010). Bottom-Up Effect of Different Host Plants on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): A Life-Table Study on Canola.  Journal of Economic Entomology. 103(6): 2019-2027.13. USDA. (1993). Fact sheet for the two species of imported fire ant: red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta, black imported fire ant Solenopsis richteri. Document FACTS-03 PPQ.14. Wilkinson, T. K. and D. A. Landis. (2005). Habitat diversification in biological control: The role of plant resources. In: F. L. Wa¨ckers, P.C.J. van Rijn, and J. Bruin, eds. Plant Provided Food and Plant-Carnivore Mutualism. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press.***70

International Journal of Agriculture System

Weed Management on the Abundance of Insect Natural Enemies in a Cabbage Field

Hasanuddin University Repository

Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2013
[      ]
Weed Management on the Abundance of Insect Natural 
Enemies in a Cabbage Field 
Sri Nur Aminah Ngatimin (Corresponding author)
Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, 
Makassar, South Sulawesi, 90245 Indonesia
Tel: +62-81342207945  Fax: +62-411587100  E-mail: srifirnas@gmail.com
Syatrawati
State Agricultural Polytechnic, Pangkep, South Sulawesi, 90655 Indonesia
Tel: +62-4102312703  Fax: +62-4102312705  E-mail: chatesyatra@gmail.com
Rosi Widarawati
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jenderal Soedirman University, 
Purwokerto, East Java, 531232 Indonesia
Tel: +62-281638791  Fax: +62-281638791  E-mail: rosi_dara@yahoo.com
Abstract:  The study was conducted to determine the effect of weed management level on 
the abundance of insect natural enemies in cabbage fields.  Two levels of weed management 
were applied in the field, namely with and without herbicide application in two growers’ 
cabbage fields in Malino, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Results demonstrated that insect natural 
enemies were more abundant in the field without herbicide application than those in the field 
with herbicide application.  Five species of predatory insect species were collected from both 
fields, anmely Solenopsis sp., Ophionea sp., Euborellia sp., Cicindella sp., and Paederus 
fuscipes. The herbicide and its surroundings were kept weed-free during the growing season. 
Four most abundant weed species were found in the field without herbicide treatment 
including Nasturtium indicum (Brassicaceae), Galinsoga parviflora (Asteraceae), Ageratum 
conyzoides (Asteraceae) and Cleome rutidospema (Capparidaceae).   
Keywords: Cabbage; refuges; insect natural enemies; weeds 
1.  Introduction
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. 
capitata) is one of the most popular 
vegetables that are cultivated in many 
highland areas in Indonesia.  Cabbage can 
be consumed either in raw salad or cooked 
vegetable. Fresh cabbage contains vitamins 
A, C, carbohydrates, proteins, fat, fiber, 
phosphorus, iron, and potassium (Soufbauf 
et al., 2010). Cabbage production has to be 
increased to fulfill the needs of the growing 
population. However, this effort is faced 
with many constraints, including limited 
availability of healthy seeds and insect pest 
threats. The diamond back moth, Plutella 
xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is 
one the major limiting factors of cabbage 
cultivation. This insect is considered to be 
the most damaging pest of crucifers around 
the world and control costs are estimated to 
reach US $1 billion annually (Soufbauf et 
al., 2010).
Most cabbage growers rely heavily on 
insecticide use to control the diamondback 
moth.  More than 90% of vegetable growers 
in Malino overuse synthetic insecticides with 
 65
International Journal of Agriculture Systems (IJAS)
[      ]
dosage and application frequency far above 
the technical recommendations (Ngatimin, 
2009). This practice is very risky because it 
can cause pest resistance to the insecticide, 
adverse effects on natural enemies and other 
non-target organisms, and environmental 
pollution.  In addition, insecticide application 
cost can easily constitute 50% of the total 
cabbage production cost.
Previous studies conducted by many 
workers have shown that cultural practices 
affect natural enemies of pest insects. 
Natural enemy abundance can be boosted 
through noncrop habitat manipulation 
(Andow 1991; Landis et al,. 2005). Weeds 
usually grow on the edge of a cabbage field. 
These plants can act as refugia and provide 
alternative host, nectar, pollen, and honey 
dew produced by aphids for natural enemies 
of insect pests.  The refugia plants can be 
used to maintain the presence of pests in low 
population outside of the growing season to 
conserve insect natural enemies within or 
around the field (Barberi et al., 2010). The 
purpose of this study was to determine the 
effect of weed management level on the 
presence and abundance of insect natural 
enemies, especially predatory insects in 
cabbage agrosystem.
2.  Materials and Methods 
  2.1  Description of Study Site
The study was conducted in two 
cabbage growers’ fields in Malino, Gowa 
Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, from 
October to December 2010. The field trial 
site was located about 1,100 m above sea 
level, with an average rainfall rate of 2,900 
mm per year and relative humidity and 
temperature ranging from 88-90% and 18-
25oC, respectively, during the course of the 
study.
  2.2  Cabbage Plantation
Two fields, about 300 m apart to prevent 
natural enemy movement between the fields, 
were used in this study. One of the fields was 
kept free of weeds throughout the planting 
season by weekly applying herbicide; and the 
other one was left without any weed control 
measures to allow the weeds to grow freely. 
Each field consisted of nine plots (3 x 5 m). 
Cabbage seedlings (cv. KK-Cross) were 
transplanted to both fields in early October 
2010 with a planting space of 25 x 25 cm. 
To allow the natural enemy populations to 
grow, no insecticide was applied in both sites 
during the planting season. 
  2.3  Weed Identification
From each plot of the field without 
herbicide application, five weed plants were 
sampled, following a diagonal pattern. The 
plants were covered with a plastic sheath then 
removed for identification in the laboratory. 
Identification was based on weed description 
guides by Everaarst (1981) and Soerjani et 
al. (1987). 
  2.4  Insect Collection 
Natural enemies of insects were 
collected from cabbage plants in both 
experiment fields (with and without herbicide 
application), using a battery-powered 
vacuum pump. Five plants were sampled 
following diagonal pattern in each plot. The 
collection of insect natural enemies began 
14 days after transplanting until harvest 
with an interval of seven days.  All insect 
natural enemies present on the plant samples 
66
Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2013
[      ]
were sucked into vacuum pumps, placed 
into plastic bottles containing 70% alcohol, 
and then brought back to the laboratory for 
identification. Identification was performed 
under a dissecting microscope (40 - 100 
X) and was based on morphological 
characteristics of the natural enemies as 
described by Kalshoven (1981) and CSIRO 
(1991).
3.  Results and Discussion
 3.1  Natural Enemy Species in Cabbage Fields
Five species of insect natural enemy 
were collected from cabbage fields through 
weekly sampling using battery-powered 
suction vacuum. Average number of 
insect natural enemies per plant collected 
throughout the growing season is presented 
in Table 1. 
In general, the numbers of natural 
enemy individuals found in the field without 
herbicide application were higher than those 
found in the field with herbicide application. 
In both fields, the same species of natural 
enemy were found with similar relative 
abundance. The most abundant species was 
Solenopsis sp. (Hymenoptera: Formici dae), 
followed by Euborellia sp. (Coleoptera: 
Carabidae); Ophionea sp. (Dermaptera: 
Anisolabididae), Cicindella sp. (Coleptera: 
Cicindellidae), and Paederus fuscipes 
(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).  
  3.2  Weed Species in Cabbage Field
Field applied with herbicide was 
successfully kept free of weeds throughout 
the growing season.  On the other hand, the 
field that was intentionally unapplied with 
herbicide had many different species of 
weeds.  Among the weeds, there were four 
most abundant species found in the field 
(Table 2).  
Table 1. Average number of insect natural enemies per plant during the growing season, 2010 
Insect Natural Enemies Number of Insect per Plant 
Species Family Field with Weeds Field without Weeds 
Solenopsis sp Formicidae 81 12 
Ophionea sp. Carabidae 34 10 
Euborellia sp. Dermaptera 22 2 
Cicindella sp. Cicindellidae 17 5 
Paederus fuscipes Staphylinidae  13 2 
 
 
 
Table 2. Weed species found in the cabbage field without herbicide application 
Species Family 
Nasturtium (Rorippa)  indicum L. Brassicaceae 
Galinsoga parviflora Cav. Asteraceae 
Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae 
Cleome rutidosperma DC Capparaceae 
 
 
Table 1. Average number of insect natural enemies per plant during the growing season, 2010 
Insect Natural Enemies Number of Insect per Plant 
Species Family Field with Weeds Field without Weeds 
Solenopsis sp Formicidae 81 12 
Ophionea sp. Carabidae 34 10 
Euborellia sp. Dermaptera 22 2 
Cicindella sp. icindellidae 17 5 
Paederus fuscipes Staphylinidae  13 2 
 
 
 
Table 2. Weed species found in the cabbage field without herbicide application 
Species Family 
Nasturtium (Rorippa)  indicum L. Brassicaceae 
Galinsoga parviflora Cav. Asteraceae 
Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae 
Cleome rutidosperma DC Capparaceae 
 
 
67
                 Species    Family 
Nasturtium (Rorippa)  indicum L.  Brassicaceae 
Galinsoga parviflora Cav. Asteraceae 
Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae 
Cleome rutidosperma DC Capparaceae 
 
International Journal of Agriculture Systems (IJAS)
[      ]
  3.3  Populations of Natural Enemies                         
The mean number of natural enemy 
per plant in the field without herbicide 
application were higher than those in the 
field with herbicide application throughout 
the growing season (Figure 1).  
In the field without herbicide use, the 
number of natural enemy individuals was low 
in the early season, then increased and reached 
its first peak on 28 days after planting.  In the 
next two weeks, the number of natural enemy 
individuals decreased, and then increased to 
the second peak on 56 days after planting. 
After, the number steadily decreased towards 
the end of the season. While the number of 
natural enemy individuals in the field with 
herbicide application was lower throughout 
the growing season.  About 10 individuals of 
natural enemy per plant were collected for 
the first three weeks of the season and then 
decreased towards the end of the season.
Five same species of natural enemies 
were collected from both the experiment 
fields, with and without use of herbicide, 
namely Solenopsis sp. (Hymenoptera: 
Formicidae), Euborellia sp. (Coleoptera: 
Carabidae); Ophionea sp. (Dermaptera: 
Anisolabididae), Cicindella sp. (Coleptera: 
Cicindellidae), and Paederus fuscipes 
(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).  Fire ant or 
scientifically known as Solenopsi sp was the 
most abundant natural enemy in both types 
of cabbage fields.  This insect is common 
in agricultural fields and acts as predator 
of small invertebrates such as insects 
and spiders, centipedes and millipedes, 
earthworms, and other similarly sized prey 
(USDA, 1993).  The adults are attracted to 
sugary substances, including honey dew 
excreted by aphid or whitefly on plant surface 
and nectar of flower.  Other natural enemies 
are soil-dwelling insects but their adults also 
feed on plant nectar and pollens.  
Four species of weed that were most 
abundantly found in the field without 
herbicide application were N. indicum 
 
 
 
Figure 1. The presence of insect natural enemies in the field with native weeds and field clearing 
 
 
Figure 1. Average number of natural enemy individuals in the cabbage field applied and non-
appli d with herbicide. 
68
Volume 1 Issue 1 June 2013
[      ]
(Brassicaceae), G. parviflora (Asteraceae), 
A. conyzoides (Asteraceae), and C. 
rutidosperma  (Capparaceae). All species are 
perennial and produce flowers.  The weeds 
are present throughout the year in the field 
they can provide shelter, food resources, 
and alternative prey for natural enemies, 
especially during the time when no crop 
hosts are available in the field (Wilkinson 
and Landis, 2005). In addition, insect natural 
enemies, including ants use plant parts such 
as stems, bark and root surface as a shelter 
from extreme environmental condition 
(Kumschick et al., 2009).  This is probably 
the main reason why the natural enemies 
were more abundant in the field where weeds 
are intentionally allowed to grow compared 
to field where herbicide was applied.
Our results suggested that weed 
management can be used as an integral part 
of integrated pest management implemented 
in cabbage agricultural system.  Weeds have 
been used to increase the vegetation diversity 
which in turn helps to enhance the natural 
enemy population (Altieri and Whitcomb, 
2004).  Weed population in a crop can be 
manipulated in such a way that non-crop 
vegetation can effectively function as source 
of natural enemies but without causing 
adverse effects on the main crop production. 
For example, weeds are kept as strip plant 
between crop rows or allowed to grow on the 
boundaries of the field.  
5.  Conclusion
There is a diversification of weed 
species abundance in the field without 
herbicide use leading to a successfully 
enhanced number of natural enemies.  Four 
species of weeds were found dominant in the 
cabbage field, namely Nasturtium indicum 
(Brassicaceae), Galinsoga parviflora 
(Asteraceae), Ageratum conyzoides 
(Asteraceae) and Cleome rutidospema 
(Capparidaceae).  This perennial non-
crop vegetation produces flowers which 
can become the source of natural enemies 
present in the fields, including Solenopsis 
sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Euborellia 
sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Ophionea sp. 
(Dermaptera), Cicindella sp. (Coleptera: 
Cicindellidae), and Paederus fuscipes 
(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).  Further studies 
should be conducted to determine how those 
weeds help to enhance the natural enemy 
population and how to effectively use the 
weeds in habitat manipulation to suppress 
insect pest population in the cabbage 
plantation.
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Weed Management of The Abundance of Insect natural Enemies in a Cabbage Field

The study was conducted to determine the effect of weed management level on the abundance of insect natural enemies in cabbage fields. Two levels of weed management were applied in the field, namely with and without herbicide application in two growersâ€™ cabbage fields in Malino, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Results demonstrated that insect natural enemies were more abundant in the field without herbicide application than those in the field with herbicide application. Five species of predatory insect species were collected from both fields, anmely Solenopsis sp., Ophionea sp., Euborellia sp., Cicindella sp., and Paederus fuscipes. The herbicide and its surroundings were kept weed-free during the growing season. Four most abundant weed species were found in the field without herbicide treatment including Nasturtium indicum (Brassicaceae), Galinsoga parviflora (Asteraceae), Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae) and Cleome rutidospema (Capparidaceae)

Syatrawati, Syatrawati

Hasanuddin University Graduate School: Open Journal Systems

English

http://pasca.unhas.ac.id/ojs/index.php/ijas/article/download/6/6

Weed Management of The Abundance of Insect natural Enemies in a Cabbage Field

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