Effect of cultivation patterns of safflower and chickpea on arthropod biodiversity

Biodiversity plays an important role in sustainability of agricultural systems. The purpose of this research was to evaluate biodiversity of some important arthropod orders in cultivation patterns of safflower and chickpea. Experimental treatments included of monoculture of safflower, monocultureof chickpea, replacement series consisted of 4:4, 2:2, 1:1, 3:1, 1:3 and additive series consisted of 20% and 40% chickpea in two situations of between (I) and around (II) of safflower rows. This research was conducted in field condition at Kurdistan University during 2015-2016 growing seasons. Experiment was conducted at randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Results showed that cultivation patterns had significant effect on arthropod order biodiversity based on Shannon-Weiner and inverse Simpson indexes. The most number (93%) of samples were insects. In comparison with different intercropping series, highest and lowest of biodiversity values belonged to 1:3 and 20%I, respectively. Arthropod biodiversity in most of intercropping ratios was higher than safflower monoculture. Finally, selection of suitable cropping system is an important factor in designation of arthropod population and biodiversity.