Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of edaphic fauna under a no-tillage system with different levels of soybean productivity [High (NTH), Medium (NTM) and Low (NTL)] in the west of Santa Catarina (Brazil), identifying which chemical and physical variables most affect them, and the best indicators that can be used. Native forest (NF) areas were used as a reference. A total of 207 samples of soil fauna were collected by soil monolith and pitfall trap methods over two years of evaluation in four municipalities. Based on edaphic fauna data, Shannon-Wiener (H’), Pielou (J), Dominance (D), Margalef and Fisher Alpha (α) indices were generated, in addition to the average richness and abundance. Data from NTs were submitted to analysis of variance and compared by Tukey's test (p > 0.05). The NF was used as a reference and compared with the agriculture system by Dunnett test (p > 0.05), and regressions between soybean productivity and diversity indices. The H’, Margalef, α indices, and average richness for soil fauna sampled by soil monoliths followed the productivity gradient NTH > NTM > NTL, showing a positive correlation with the increase of soybean productivity. NTH has a diversity index similar to that of NF. Soybean productivity is affected by the richness and diversity of edaphic fauna, but abundance was not sensitive in predicting treatments under no-tillage; Fisher's alpha index was more sensitive in treatment separation with soil monoliths. The environmental variables aluminum, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium and penetration resistance affect the fauna edaphic.
Highlights
With NT intensification, there were increases in variation between the nutrient content in soil and crop productivity response under this system (Nicolodi and Gianello, 2017)
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of edaphic fauna under a no-tillage system with different levels of soybean productivity [High (NTH), Medium (NTM) and Low (NTL)] in the west of Santa Catarina (Brazil), identifying which chemical and physical variables most affect them, and the best indicators that can be used
Edaphic fauna is already known to act on organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, litter fragmentation and gallery opening, performing numerous ecosystem functions under different soil management systems (Baretta et al, 2014; Bender and Van Der Heijden, 2015; Choudhary et al, 2018; Pompeo et al, 2017), as well as unquestionable usefulness as indicators, usually easy to collect in the field and identify (Baretta et al, 2014; Choudhary et al, 2018; Favero et al, 2011)
Summary
With NT intensification, there were increases in variation between the nutrient content in soil and crop productivity response under this system (Nicolodi and Gianello, 2017). The evaluation and the mineralist concept of fertility used to define soil production capacity were insufficient to explain the results obtained for corn productivity under the NT system (Nicolodi et al, 2008; 2014). This has resulted in a number of cases with low crop responses under high soil fertility conditions and high productivities under low fertility conditions. This variability has always existed, increasing variances have been observed under NT (Nicolodi and Gianello, 2017). Edaphic fauna is already known to act on organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, litter fragmentation and gallery opening, performing numerous ecosystem functions under different soil management systems (Baretta et al, 2014; Bender and Van Der Heijden, 2015; Choudhary et al, 2018; Pompeo et al, 2017), as well as unquestionable usefulness as indicators, usually easy to collect in the field and identify (Baretta et al, 2014; Choudhary et al, 2018; Favero et al, 2011)
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