Comparison of abundance and species diversity of herbivorous arthropods in wheat fields under conservation and conventional tillage systems in Zarghan region (Fars province, Iran)

In this research, the abundance and species diversity of herbivorous arthropods in wheat fields under no tillage (NT), minimum tillage system (MT) and conventional tillage system (CT) were compared during two successive growing seasons. Sampling was done by pitfall traps, yellow sticky cards and D- vac device during wheat growth stages. Diversity indices (Shannon - Wiener, Simpson, and Berger-Parker) and Pileos evenness Index (J) were determined by Past software. Psammotitix aliens (30.1%) was the only eudominant pest species which found in MT system. Dominant pest species in MT were Mallachius bipustulatus (26.13%) and Haplothrips tritici (14%) while in NT were Psammotitix aliens (25.6%), Haplothrips tritici (24.91%), Petrobia latens (12.28%) and in CT were Psammotitix aliens (26.66%) and Mallachius bipustulatus (22.78%)respectively. Shannon index in NT, MT and CT were 2.25, 2.13 and 2.26, While Simpson and Berger- parker indices were 0.84, 0.81, 0.84 and 0.25, 0.30, 0.26 respectively. As well as, J index in mentioned systems were 0.35, 0.31 and 0.34 respectively. In conclusion,’ herbivorous arthropods abundance in CT showed significant difference with MT and NT systems. As well as, diversity and evenness indices in MT showed significant difference with NT and CT systems.