Seasonal changes in the abundance of Bandicota bengalensis in irrigated croplands, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2003
Siddique, M. (Government High School, Bahawalnagar (Pakistan)) | Arshad, M.
In wheat-sugar-cane-fodder agro-system the pattern of abundance and movement of the bandicoot rat (Bandicota bengalensis) was studied. The area was divided into six blocks each of 25 acres in size. Each month 8 acres of land under wheat, sugar-cane and fodder crops was randomly selected and sampled for the rat, using snap traps. Sugar-cane was found to be the most preferred crop by the bandicoot rat; the average trap success being 4.10%. This crop provide shelter to the rats almost throughout the year. Fodder crops were next to the sugar-cane in order of preference crop having an average trap success 1.35%. This crop also provide shelter to the rats throughout the year. The bandicoot rat started moving into the wheat crop in February and started feeding on wheat plants in booting stage. The rat attained peak abundance in the wheat crop in March and April. The average trap success for this crop was noted as 0.82%. The fall season is the best time and the sugarcane and fodder crops are the best sites for applying the rodenticides.
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