Influence of tillage and fertilizers on the fauna of sodpodzolic gleyic soil and the yield of field crops

Abstract

The results of the study of the mouldboard, surface-mouldboard and surface soil treatment systems, as well as straw-based fertilizer systems used both separately and in combination with full mineral fertilizer are presented. Data for 2019-2021 on soil fauna, yield of perennial grasses of the 1st and 2nd years of use and spring wheat are given. The studies were conducted on sod-podzolic gleyic middle-loamy soils (experimental field of the Yaroslavl State Agricultural Academy). During the period under study, the highest abundance of beneficial soil fauna (earthworms (Lumbricina), ladybugs (Coccinellidae) and carabid beetles (Carabidae) was observed during surface-mouldboard treatment which indicates that this system has favorable feeding conditions for these organisms. The number of nematodes (Nematoda) in this variant decreased with significant changes recorded in different soil layers depending on the year, which may be associated with stronger plant growth and an increase in their ability to resist helminths. It was found that the greatest impact on the beneficial fauna had a combined application of straw and total mineral fertilizer: an increase in the beneficial soil fauna and a decrease in the population of nematodes were observed, which can be explained by the reduction of bacterio- and mycotrophs. In all the years of research the surface-mouldboard treatment provided the yield of field crops at the level of the mouldboard tillage or slightly lower. Application of straw together with full norm of mineral fertilizers caused the highest values of the above-mentioned indicator.