Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the abundance of the soil macrofauna in four green manure species, before the cotton crop. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four treatments: Mucuna pruriens (gray mucuna), Canavalia ensiformes (pork bean), Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Crotalaria juncea (crotalaria). The macrofauna was captured by means of collections with collections using pitfall traps. The data were processed through the cluster analysis to verify the similarity among green manure species as to the occurrence of soil macrofauna. The orders Orthoptera, Coleoptera L (Larval), Hymenoptera and Coleoptera (adult), respectively, had the highest local relative abundance. There was a significant effect of the cover plants on the taxonomic groups and relative density of the soil macrofauna. Green manures were more determinant in the abundance and relative density of the soil macrofauna than the region climate. Up to 60 days after sowing the cotton crop, there was a beneficial influence of the green manures on the soil macrofauna.
Highlights
The use of biological, physical and chemical variables has been indicated for the evaluation of soil quality submitted to different agricultural management (SALTON et al, 2008)
Among the ecological bioindicators is the soil macrofauna, composed of taxonomic groups belonging to the Phylum Annelida and Phylum Arthropoda, among others (LAVELLE; SPAIN, 2001)
These animals are of fundamental importance for maintaining the soil quality and fertility, as they favor the redistribution of nutrients and organic matter through their biodynamic activities (LAVELLE; SPAIN, 2001)
Summary
The use of biological, physical and chemical variables has been indicated for the evaluation of soil quality submitted to different agricultural management (SALTON et al, 2008). Among the ecological bioindicators is the soil macrofauna, composed of taxonomic groups belonging to the Phylum Annelida (earthworms) and Phylum Arthropoda (arachnids, millipedes and insects such as coleoptera in larvae or adult stages, termites and ants), among others (LAVELLE; SPAIN, 2001). These animals are of fundamental importance for maintaining the soil quality and fertility, as they favor the redistribution of nutrients and organic matter through their biodynamic activities (LAVELLE; SPAIN, 2001). The diverse occurrence of soil macrofauna individuals is associated with a relationship among the species, wherein the fauna diversity can be related to other factors, such as plant density, established crops, adaptability to crop, food availability and content of soil organic matter (KLADIVKO, 2001)
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