The effects of integrated azolla-duck-rice farming system on weeding, pest control and the behaviour of ducks
1998
Liu, X. (Kagoshima Univ. (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture) | Takayama, K. | Yamashita, K. | Nakanishi, Y. | Manda, M. | Inanaga, J. | Matsumoto, S. | Nakagama, A.
The present study was conducted to examine the effect of integration of aquatic fern Azolla and the Aigamo ducks on weeding, pest control, and behavior of the Aigamo ducks in paddy fields. The paddy fields were allocated into 5 treatments, named: agrochemical (standard fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides were used), control, Aigamo ducks, Azolla and Azolla-Aigamo ducks plots. The experiments were carried out during 1996-1997. Azolla was inoculated into the paddy fields the day after rice transplanting at the rate of 70 g/square-meter in 1996 and 25 g/square-meter in 1997. After the Azolla was grown for 6-7 weeks, the biomass was plowed into the soil or submerged due to the stirring behavior of the Aigamo ducks. Aigamo ducks (6 ducks/3a) of 1 week of age were introduced into the paddy fields 1 week after rice transplanting, and then they were free-ranged for 2 months until the rice was in ear. In August and September of 1996, the emergence of weeds in the Azolla-Aigamo ducks and the aigamo ducks plots was significantly less than that of control. In August of 1997, the emergence of weeds in the Azolla-Aigamo ducks plot was significantly less compared with the other plots, except for the agrochemical plot. Echinochloa crusgalli was effectively suppressed by a thick Azolla mat, Cyperus difformis, L. perocumbens and R. indica var. uliginosa were foraged by the Aigamo ducks. It wa suggested that the weeding effect in Azolla-aigamo ducks plot was due to the integration of A
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