The effect of Paraquat Dichloride application on diversity and abundance of soil arthropods in the corn field

Abstract

We investigated the effect of paraquat dichloride herbicide application on diversity and abundance of soil arthropods in a corn field. In addition to control (0 mL/L), four concentrations of paraquat dichloride were applied i.e. 3.33 mL / L, 4 mL / L, 4.66 mL / L and 5.33 mL / L. Sampling was carried out four times, namely at T 0 (before tillage), T 1 (after tillage), T 2 (after spraying herbicides), and T 3 (before harvesting) using a pitfall trap method. Soil arthropod samples were identified to the family level. The total number of individuals was then analyzed to obtain species richness, species dominance index, species diversity index and similarity index of Sorensen. The result showed that paraquat dichloride did not give any significant effect ( p> 0.05) on the number of individuals, species richness, species dominance index, diversity index and Sorensen similarity index of soil arthropods. The composition of soil arthropods in the control and in the treatment with the highest concentration shows a high level of similarity.