Abstract
ABSTRACT: This study assessed the effect of cover crop biomass on the epigeal fauna of an organic eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cropping system. A randomized block design was used, with four cover crop treatments: brachiaria, crotalaria, millet, and cocktail (brachiaria, crotalaria and millet). The epigeal faunal indices were determined at each plot. The epigeal fauna of a secondary forest site was also assessed for comparison. Epigeal individuals were collected using pitfall traps at two sampling periods (110 and 180 days after mowing cover crops). Soil samples were collected for determination of physical and chemic properties. 2032 individuals were captured in the first sampling and 3806 individuals in the second. The highest values of wealth in the first collection were observed in the millet and cocktail areas. Cluster analysis showed similarity of epigeal faunal groups between millet and brachiaria plots at the first sampling and between cocktail and crotalaria sites at the second sampling. Co-inertia analysis showed a significant covariance between epigeal fauna at the second sampling and soil properties. The cover crops management had a beneficial influence on the activity, wealth and ecological indexes, in both sampling periods. The positive association observed between epigeal faunal groups and soil physical and chemical properties demonstrates the efficiency of cover crops in improving soil quality in organic cropping systems.
Highlights
The growing concern of farmers about sustainability and environmental degradation has led to the adoption of no-till cropping practices
At first sampling, performed 110 days after mowing, there was no difference in total epigeal faunal activity between sites (Figure 2A)
The first was formed by millet and brachiaria plots, which shared a high frequency of Collembola individuals (Poduromorpha and Entomobryomorpha)
Summary
The growing concern of farmers about sustainability and environmental degradation has led to the adoption of no-till cropping practices. Notill farming encompasses a variety of technological approaches to sustainable agriculture that aim to minimize soil degradation and organic matter losses, thereby reducing the use of fertilizers and additives (ANDRADE et al, 2018). Vegetable cultivation it is considered an environmentally and economically suitable alternative for organic cultivation, as it preserves soil organisms and increases the soil organic matter levels (TIVELLI et al, 2010). Cover crops contribute to soil protection and conservation (BESEN et al, 2018) by restoring soil fertility, enhancing physical and chemical attributes, stimulating biological nitrogen fixation, minimizing erosion, reducing soil temperature, and increasing moisture (BARROS et al, 2013; BRUNO et al, 2017). Organic management practices are in line with the premise of no-till farming and may result in great benefits to the soil invertebrate community
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