Floral borders and reduced agronomic inputs in paddy fields: enhancing biodiversity and crop health in wetland ecosystems
| Title | Floral borders and reduced agronomic inputs in paddy fields: enhancing biodiversity and crop health in wetland ecosystems |
| Publication Type | Book Chapter |
| Year of Publication | 2026 |
| Authors | Pakkirisamy M., Girija D.S., Saravanaraman M., Willcox B.K., Raj R., Senapathi D |
| Book Title | Wetlands: Biodiversity, Health and their Role in Ecosystem Services |
| Pagination | 157-174 |
| ISBN Number | 978-0-443-34222-6 |
| Keywords | Wetland; paddy; chemical input; floral borders; natural enemies |
| Abstract | Wetlands are critical ecosystems that provide numerous ecosystem services, including water filtration, flood control, and biodiversity conservation. Paddy is grown in wetlands, under flooded conditions or with standing water. In many regions of India, especially in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, paddy is predominantly grown as a monocrop. The reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides in paddy cultivation poses long-term sustainability issues, including biodiversity losses, soil degradation, and water pollution in wetland ecosystems. In the realm of sustainable agriculture, mainstreaming biodiversity-enhancement practices with paddy cultivation can significantly improve pest regulation services and overall ecosystem health. This study examines the effectiveness of floral border crops in smallholder rice production within wetland areas, emphasizing the interplay between agronomic inputs and landscape context in the Puducherry Union Territory of India. Our research demonstrates that the presence of floral border crops in wetland paddy fields enhances natural enemy biodiversity and contributes to sustainable pest management. The results indicate that the success of these practices depends heavily on specific agronomic inputs and the surrounding landscape. By fostering a more diverse and resilient agroecosystem, these practices can help mitigate the environmental impact of rice cultivation in wetlands and promote the conservation of these vital ecosystems. This chapter underscores the importance of adopting intensification of paddy fields with relevant cocrops that support effective pest management by augmenting natural enemies and ensuring higher agricultural productivity and conservation of wetland ecosystems. |
| DOI | 10.1016/C2024-0-01844-9 |