Assessing the Population of Weeds, Insects and Predators in the Organic and Conventional Fields in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India

In the present investigation an attempt was made to assess the frequency, density, abundance, relative frequency, relative density, relative abundance and important value index of flora and fauna in both the fields of organic and conventional methods of farming in Coimbatore district. The survey was conducted in the fields in three different locations in Coimbatore district, 1) Navakkarai, 2) Cheran nagar and 3) Chinnapampalayam near Anamalai. Weed species and Predators like spiders, ladybird bettles and grasshoppers were predominant in organic fields and earthworms were found to be more in organic fields. Pest management in organic farming depends mainly on crop husbandry and biological control. The prohibition of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides leads to conservation of natural enemies including predators and parasitoids.