JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology 

Impact of crop rotation from intensive cultivation practices of baby corn to soybean on the abundance of ants

Authors: GOLIVE PRASANTHI

Abstract:

Ants are essential social insects in below-ground processes by altering the physical and chemical environments and their effects on plants, microorganisms, and other soil organisms. Less intensive systems such as organic farming and eco-friendly pest management practices are critical for providing a refuge for biodiversity and ecosystem functions. An investigation was conducted to study the impact of different doses of Farmyard manure (FYM) -10,12.5,15,17.5 and 20 t ha-1 and fertilizers (25:60:25 kg NPK ha-1) on behavioral activities of ants in soybean ecosystem during the kharif season. The results of this study revealed that ant activity increased with higher doses of FYM application, whereas fertilizer-treated plots support fewer ants. Totally nine species of ants belonging to three subfamilies were recorded, of which Pheidole sp. was dominant with an average catch of 278.5 per observation, followed by Solenopsis sp, Camponatus sp (231.5).

References:

Abhilasha, C. R., 2013. Influence of abiotic factors on soil macro and mesofaunal population in organic farming ecosystem. M.Sc.(Agri) Thesis, University of Agricultural Sciences., Bangalore, p. 155.

Abhilasha, C.R. and Kumar, N.G., 2021.Impact of soil microbial biomass carbon on the activity of soil mesofauna in baby corn ecosystem. J.Soil Biol.Ecol.,41(2):25-32.

Ayre, G.L., 1967. The relationship between food and digestive enzymes in five species of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Canadian Entomologist, 99: 408-411.

Carroll, C.R. and Janzen, D.H., 1973. Ecology of foraging by ants.Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst., 4: 231-257.

Delabie, J.H.C., 2001. Trophobiosis between Formicidae and Hemiptera (Sternorrhyncha and Auchenorrhyncha ): an overview. Neotropical Entomology, 30: 501-516.

Gotwald, W.H. 1986. The beneficial economic role of ants. Economic impact and control of social insects, New York, 290-313.

Ngangom Uma Devi, 2013.Influence of different approaches of nutrient application on soil fauna in maize cropping system.M.Sc. (Agri) Thesis, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, p. 165.

Shilpa Akkur, Kumar, N.G., Narasa Reddy, G. and Bhopale Sangram sinh. Studies on relative abundance and occurrence of ants species in soybean ecosystem. J. Soil Biol.Ecol.,33(1&2):194-199. 

Virupaksha, 2011. Development of conservation practices for below-ground biodiversity in soybean ecosystem. M.Sc. (Agri) Thesis, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, p. 191.