Abstract:The abundance of beneficial insects in the paddy field can be influenced by the abundance of insect pests, water parameters, climatic factors and plant traits. This study was conducted to determine effects of water parameters, climatic factors and plant traits on abundant insects. Findings of the studies showed that there were significant correlations between all beneficial insects in paddy field and water parameters tested, namely, water temperature, salinity, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, ammonia and total suspended solids. Moreover, the selected water parameters of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were good predictors for abundant beneficial insects in paddy field at Sungai Burong, specifically for insects of sub-orders Anisoptera and Zygoptera, and insects from families Gerridae and Coccinellidae. The plant height, insect pest, temperature, rainfall and humidity were found to be good predictors on the abundance of beneficial insects; nevertheless, the R 2 value of multiple regression models was relatively low due to significant relationship between water parameters and insects. Consideration factors of water parameters, climatic factors and plant traits were strongly correlated with those parameters and abundance of insects in the paddy field at Sungai Burong, Tanjung Karang, Selangor.

This study examines farmers perception on good agricultural practices (GAP) on rubber's production. The purpose of this study is to identify the strength of relationship between the GAPs factors and rubber production. The data collection process was created by distributing the questionnaire form to the 114 smallholders of Kuala Ketil, Kedah. Data collected has been analysis using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). This study can determine which factors among harvesting, fertilizing, landscape conservation, and mechanization that is being important to the farmers and obviously can affect the production of the rubber itself. This paper shows that the farmers perception on GAPs elements are significantly has positive moderate strength relationship on rubber production. The mechanization is proven to be the dominate factors in increase the rubber production. The findings indicate that the state Agency in Kedah need to pay attention in raising the important of GAP among smallholders, and the agency should introduce the motorize tapping machine to boost the rubber production.

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