JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology

Influence of organic practices on the abundance of soil macro-fauna during cropping and non-cropping seasons in soybean ecosystem

Authors: GOLIVE PRASANTHI AND N.G. KUMAR

Abstract:

Soil macro-fauna is an important component of the biodiversity of ecosystems. A field investigation was carried out to know the impact of various doses of farm yard manure and inorganic fertilizers on soil macro-fauna in the soybean ecosystem. A higher population was documented in the plot treated with 20 tonnes of FYM per ha (60.76 macro arthropods per trap). During cropping season least population was observed in 100 % of recommended fertilizer applied plot (22.05/trap). The population varied from 4.80 (75 BAT) to 75.53/pitfall (75DAG). Significantly higher macrofauna abundance was found in 20 t of FYM /ha (97.00), which was on par with T2, T10, T4, T8 and T1 during the cropping season. Higher macrofauna was noticed in the plot treated with 20 tonnes of FYM/ha (16.51 macro fauna/trap), followed by T8, T2, and T1 during the non-cropping season. Further, the population varied from 12.10 (210 DAG) to 13.23 macro fauna /trap (120 DAG). The higher macrofauna abundance was observed in T1 (28.66 macro fauna /trap) at 120DAG. It may be due to abundant ant nests or termite mounds near the experimental plot, associated with abundant food sources (organic matter, microbial biomass, prey etc.), optimal moisture and temperature regimes in the soil.

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