PREDATOR-PREY ASSOCIATION AMONG SELECTED ARTHROPOD SPECIES IN THE CROPLAND OF MIXED-CROP ZONE (MCZ) AND COTTON-WHEAT ZONE (CWZ)

Authors: S. A. Rana, T. Ruby, N. Rana, M. Afzal, M. Mahmood-ul-Hassan, M. J. I. Siddiqui
Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS)
ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online)
Volume: 22  Issue: 4  Pages: 1019-1023
Year: 2012
DOI: NA
URL: https://doi.org/NA
Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum

Abstract:
<p>Wheat, brassica and fodders (maize, sorghum and alfalfa) were sampled for various arthropod taxa in the mixed-crop (MC) and cotton-wheat (CW) zones of Punjab and predator- prey densities were calculated. Line graphs of predator-prey ratio (p/p) in eight monthly samples were plotted for each predator and its prey species. The most linear horizontal pattern thus obtained revealed an association of a predator to its prey(s). Significance of the association was ascertained by simple linear regression on the relative abundances of both the groups. Findings are helpful in applying a species-specific biological control in nature.</p>

Keywords: Croplands, Arthropods, Predator-prey relationship.