Successive Crops Research Articles

Sustainable Cropping System Intensification in Arid Region of India: Fallow Replacement with Limited Duration Sorghum–Legume Intercropping Followed by Eruca sativa Mill. Grown on Conserved Soil Moisture

A field experiment was conducted to explore the possibilities of sustainable crop intensification in the fallow–Eruca sativa Mill. system in arid ecology by replacing fallow with short-duration sorghum–legume intercropping. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with two planting systems (bed and conventional) in main plots and a factorial combination of crop duration (50 and 60 days) and cropping systems (sole sorghum, sorghum + cowpea, sorghum + Sesbania in 2:2 ratio) in sub-plots. In the succeeding Eruca sativa crop, residuals and two gypsum levels (0 and 250 kg ha−1) were tested. Bed planting practiced during both seasons did not improve the system productivity to significant levels. Extending the duration of fallow replacement crops from 50 to 60 days significantly increased their forage yield, overall system productivity by 25–34%, and system net returns by 15.9–21.5%. Amongst the intercropping systems, the sorghum + Sesbania system added 10–13 tonnes ha−1Sesbania biomass to the soil, resulting in higher soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, dehydrogenase activity, and residual soil moisture, which increased the yield of the succeeding Eruca sativa crop by 8.8–15% compared to the residual of sole sorghum. However, it could not compensate for the yield loss due to the utilization of 50% of the area for growing the green manure crop. The sorghum + cowpea intercropping–Eruca sativa system was found to be the optimum combination with a system productivity of 1.27–1.87 Mg ha−1Eruca sativa seed equivalent. The productivity of Eruca sativa further improved by 9.5–23.7% due to the soil application of gypsum @ 250 kg ha−1. When averaged over treatments, fallow replacement during the rainy season reduced the available soil moisture at the sowing of Eruca sativa by 8.3–22.8% and subsequently its yield by 16.5–30.4% compared to the fallow–Eruca sativa system. However, with this production penalty, an additional rainy-season fodder crop was successfully grown, which improved the system productivity by 57.7–82.8%, net returns by 31.2–57.3%, and rainfall use efficiency from 0.21 to 36 USD/mm−1 ha−1. Hence, it may be concluded that short-duration fodder crops may be taken as fallow replacement crops for higher system productivity and rainfall use efficiency.

The Mixture of Legumes and Gramineous as Green Manure and Its Effect on Nutrient Efficiency and Soil Solution Characteristics in Three Successive Crops

The Mixture of Legumes and Gramineous as Green Manure and Its Effect on Nutrient Efficiency and Soil Solution Characteristics in Three Successive Crops

A method for verifying the uniformity in fertilizer dispenser flow

The success of crops is directly related to effective planting and fertilization, especially regarding yield factors like plants per area and final yield. Thorough evaluations are vital to understanding modern methods in these operations. Current regulations and their broaden scope highlight the need for more specific approaches. This study aimed to validate a new method for assessing the effectiveness of helical and fluted dosing mechanisms with two granulated fertilizer formulations (04-14-08 [GF1] and 04-30-10 [GF2]) at different speeds (4, 7, and 10 km/h) in a controlled setting. We collected flow data, organized it, checked for normality, and subjected it to variance analysis. The fluted dispenser showed better flow at 4 km/h and 7 km/h. The GF1 formulation produced higher flows in both dispensers, with the helical design outperforming. The flow for GF1 increased linearly with speed. For GF2, the best flow rate was at 7 km/h. In summary, our new method effectively evaluated the factors under study, offering insights into the function and potential improvements of the technologies used.

A Promising Approach for Addressing Micronutrient Deficiencies and Enhancing Nutritional Quality in Food Crops through Biofortification

Biofortification is a promising agricultural approach for addressing micronutrient shortages and increasing the nutritional content of food crops. Micronutrient deficiencies, also known as "hidden hunger," continue to affect many people around the world, particularly in underdeveloped countries. This presentation emphasises the need of biofortification in solving this worldwide health issue. Biofortification tries to improve the level of important micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin A, and iodine in edible plant portions by using traditional breeding techniques or current biotechnological procedures. Iron-fortified beans, zinc-enhanced rice, vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes, and iodine-enriched crops are all examples of successful biofortified crops. To maximise their impact, biofortification programmes must be integrated with nutrition education and agronomic practises, according to the abstract. Governments, research institutes, non-governmental organisations, and the commercial sector must work together to scale up biofortification activities and build healthier, more resilient communities around the world.

Seasonal Rainfall Forecast Verification Analysis for Vridhachalam, Tamil Nadu, India

Seasonal rainfall patterns play a vital role in shaping agricultural practices, crop yields and water resource management in various regions. In the context of Virdhachalam Block, Cuddalore District, accurate forecasts of seasonal rainfall are crucial for successful crop sowing, farm operations and overall agricultural planning. To address the significance of reliable rainfall predictions, this study examined the forecast accuracy of four different seasons (northeast monsoon, winter, summer and southwest monsoon), using various metrics such as forecast accuracy ratio, critical success index, true skill score and false alarm ratio for Virdhachalam block, Cuddalore district. The results showed that the summer season had the highest forecast accuracy (0.76) followed by winter (0.69), northeast monsoon (0.63) and southwest monsoon (0.66). However, the critical success index was highest during northeast monsoon (0.48) followed by southwest monsoon (0.38), winter (0.36) and summer (0.27) indicating a higher rate of correct rainfall prediction with fewer false alarms. The true skill score index was highest during summer, while the false alarm ratio was highest in summer as well as winter. These findings highlight the need for improving forecast accuracy during the monsoon season to ensure successful crop sowing and farm operations, while also emphasizing the importance of accurate forecasts during winter and summer to prevent crop failures and aid in soil water conservation for subsequent crops. Furthermore, the study found that accurate forecasts during the northeast monsoon and southwest monsoon could lead to better planning and management of agricultural activities resulting in improved yields and profits for farmers.

IMPACT OF REDUCED TILLAGE ON SOIL CHEMISTRY AND MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES USED AS AN INDICATOR OF FERTILITY IN A SEMI-ARID REGION

Tillage is a key element for crop success. Conservation tillage (CT) is frequently mentioned as a useful strategy for enhancing soil quality in agriculture. This studied the effect of reduced tillage on the chemical and microbial properties of the soil in a semi-arid region of northern Africa. At the experimental site in Algeria, soil parameters showed differences between conventional tillage (CT) and non-inversion minimum tillage (MT), with a tillage depth The results show that the effect of reduced tillage is highly significant (P value0.001) on chemical elements compared to organic or mineral management. The Shannon index (H) indicates that the diversity is very good (H5) of the 14 bacterial phyla detected. These results suggest a strategy that minimum tillage (MT) with tine tools better than discs. In order to improve the soil properties, its fertility and the yield of chickpea crops.

Potassium Supplying Capacity and Contribution of Non-Exchangeable Potassium in Wetland Rice Soils in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Information on soil potassium (K) supplying capacity, K-depletion, and contribution of exchangeable and non-exchangeable K in wetland rice ecology is limited. Understanding of K dynamics of different soil types can be a guideline for better K-fertilizer management and sustainable soil K use to achieve sustainable rice yields. To understand this soil K-supplying capacity to rice plants, a pot study with two K levels (K0 and K100 mg K kg-1 soil) was conducted with seven successive rice crops grown up to the panicle initiation stage using 18 different soils collected from across Bangladesh. The cumulative soil K-supplying capacity (242–758 mg K kg-1 soil) varied significantly (P ≤ .001) among soils, showing a strong positive relationship (R2 = 0.78) with NH4OAc K. The potential K-supplying capacity of these soils was the highest (758 mg K kg-1 soil) in Mithapukur (AEZ 3-Tista Meander Floodplain) and the lowest (242 mg K kg-1 soil) in Barura (AEZ 19-Old Meghna Estuarine Floodplain). In K0 soils, the successive cycles of rice resulted in continuous depletion of both non-exchangeable and exchangeable K pools. The concentration of both exchangeable and non-exchangeable K was maintained and almost balanced in K100 soils compared to K0 with successive rice cropping. Non-exchangeable K contribution to K nutrition of rice plants during the seventh cropping ranged, respectively, from 83% to 93% and 26% to 55% in K0 and K100 soils. Results reveal the importance of a non-exchangeable K pool in K-supplying to plants in wetland rice production systems with different soil types.

Rice-Fallow Targeting for Cropping Intensification through Geospatial Technologies in the Rice Belt of Northeast India

Rice-fallow areas have significant potential to sustainably increase agricultural intensification to address growing global food demands while simultaneously increasing farmers’ income by harnessing the residual soil moisture in rainfed ecologies. Assam is the largest rice-growing belt in northeast India during kharif; however, for the next rabi season, an average of 58% of the rice areas remain uncultivated and are described as rice-fallow (Kharif, rabi and zaid are the crop seasons in the study area. The kharif season refers to the monsoon/rainy season and corresponds to the major crop season in the region extending from June to October. The rabi season refers to the winter season extending from November to April, and the zaid season is the summer crop season from April to June). Unutilized rice-fallow areas with optimum soil moisture for a second crop were identified over three consecutive years using multiple satellite data (optical and radar) for the state of Assam and an average accuracy of 92.6%. The reasons governing the existence of rice-fallow areas were analyzed, and an average of 0.88 million ha of suitable rice-fallow areas, based on soil moisture availability, were identified. Targeted interventions were carried out in selected locations to demonstrate the potential of sustainable cropping intensification. Maize, with best management practices, and a yield between 5.5 and 6 t/ha, was demonstrated as a successful second crop during the rabi season in selected areas with optimum residual soil moisture after the kharif paddy harvest. This study highlights the significance of geospatial technology to effectively identify and target suitable rice-fallow areas for cropping intensification and to enhance productivity and profitability.

Soybean seed yield and protein response to crop rotation and fertilization strategies in previous seasons

Annual crops dominate Argentinean landscapes with a majority of fields dedicated to soybean production. Consecutive years with full-season soybean crops are frequent and this practice is associated with organic carbon losses affecting soil chemical and physical properties. It is proposed that more intensive and diverse cropping sequences coupled with targeted fertilization may allow keeping near-neutral nutrient and carbon balances while improving successive crops performance. We conducted four on–farm experiments along six seasons in the Argentine Pampas where three crop rotations and two fertilization strategies (high and regular rates of N, P, and S) were evaluated. Crop rotations involved were i) soybean monoculture, ii) a typical wheat-soybean/maize/soybean rotation, and iii) a more intensified rotation consisting of wheat-soybean/field pea-maize/soybean. After five years, soil organic carbon was consistently lower under soybean monoculture compared to that under more intensive and diverse rotations. During the sixth and last season, identically managed soybean crops were grown in all treatments to determine the influence of previous management history on soil, plant nutrients, and on crop performance. Results indicate that crop rotation largely influenced soybean seed yield (range from 120 to 690 kg ha−1 yield increase) mainly through changes in water use affecting solar radiation interception and, by a lesser extent, the conversion efficiency of radiation into biomass and partition to seeds. Comparatively, increased fertilization rates in preceding seasons resulted in a lower seed yield response (range from nil to 180 kg ha−1), which indicates that fertilization strategies alone are ineffective to restore productivity levels after years of soybean monoculture. However, in most cases, the high fertilization strategy in previous seasons resulted in greater soybean protein concentration in seeds and in overall protein yield.

Medium-term fertilization strategies on extensive grain cropping systems under water table influence

CONTEXTHistorical increases in grain yields have been associated with an undermining of soil organic matter (SOM) and a reduction of nutrient cycling capacity. Nutrient limitations for grain crop production are ubiquitous, and while yield and economic response to fertilization has been exhaustively evaluated on several crops across different environments, the focus has been mainly on individual crops rather than on the cropping system. Benefits of increased fertilization beyond a single cropping season need to be assessed to help preventing the current soil nutrient mining process in the Argentine Pampas. OBJECTIVESi) Evaluate the effect of different fertilization strategies over crop yields across rotation cycles and locations (and their interactions); ii) determine the relationship between crop yield response to fertilization and the physical and chemical soil variables; iii) evaluate the economic profit of each fertilization strategy; and iv) determine the residual effect on a soybean crop after six years following different fertilization strategies. METHODSThe study was conducted across environments in the Salado “A” Basin of the Inland Pampas of Argentina and included seven experiments with a crop rotation of soybean - wheat/second soybean - maize that was managed with different fertilization strategies (with increasing levels of nitrogen N, phosphorus P, and sulfur S), including a non-fertilized control, along six seasons. Additionally, an extra soybean crop was grown in the seventh year to determine the residual influence of previously imposed fertilization treatments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe yield response to fertilization was highest under the more intensified treatments and larger for wheat (up to 150%) and maize (up to 100%) than for soybean (up to 40%) and second soybean (up to 30%). Overall crop yield response to increasing N and P inputs was negatively correlated with initial soil extractable P while the response to S was higher in sites with high proportion of sand and low SOM. The economic profit increased as fertilization was intensified although differences were not always significant across treatments within sites. On average, intensification resulted in an additional profit of U$S187 ha−1 compared to the typical fertilization strategy followed by farmers in the area without considering a residual positive yield response (10–13%) observed in a successive soybean crop. SIGNIFICANCEThis study provided elements to improve the understanding of complex interactions determining crop yield response to fertilization strategies to help optimizing long-term management decisions affecting the cropping systems with large impact at regional level.

Composition of soil organic matter and the structure and diversity of soil bacteria and archaea, in crop systems under no-till in a subtropical ecosystem

Crop richness in crop rotation systems may modulate soil microbial activity and the diversity of community structure, driving soil organic matter (SOM) content and quality. We aimed to assess the long-term effect of crop systems on SOM composition and the structure and diversity of the bacteria and archaea in no-till subtropical soil. The study was based on samples from a subtropical Ferralsol subjected to 27 years of crop succession (wheat/soybean) or crop rotation (vetch/maize/wheat/soybean). Soil samples were analyzed in relation to C and N contents, and submitted to DNA extraction for 16 S rDNA sequencing and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy – solid-state (CP/MAS 13C NMR). The effect of the current crop species at the time of sampling on the structure and diversity of the microbial community was predominant in relation to the long-term crop history over time (crop rotation). A greater diversity and abundance of soil bacteria and archaea was observed in the area with wheat growing in winter than with soybean growing in summer, a combined effect of crop species and season. The soil under crop rotation had a greater proportion of carbohydrate-derived C in SOM, whereas a greater proportion of alkyl-C and N/O alkyl-C was observed under crop succession. The crop species richness in crop rotation allows the maintenance of soil functions related to the formation of more biochemically labile SOM and contributes positively to soil ecosystem functioning.

Crop Succession and Nitrogen Splitting Fertilization in Common Bean in Newly Implemented No-tillage System

Crop Succession and Nitrogen Splitting Fertilization in Common Bean in Newly Implemented No-tillage System

Algae biogas production focusing on operating conditions and conversion mechanisms – A review

Global warming is the result of traditional fuel use and manufacturing, which release significant volumes of CO2 and other greenhouse gases from factories. Moreover, rising energy consumption, anticipated limitations of fossil fuels in the near future, and increased interest in renewable energies among scientists, currently increase research in biofuels. In contrast to biomass from urban waste materials or the land, algae have the potential to be a commercially successful aquatic energy crop, offering a greater energy potential. Here we discuss the importance of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) for enhanced biogas yield, characterization, and comparisons between algae pretreatment methods namely, mechanical, thermal, microwave irradiation, and enzymatic and catalytic methods. The importance of anaerobic digestion enhances biogas yield, characterization, and comparisons between mechanical, thermal, microwave irradiation, and enzymatic and catalytic treatment. Additionally, operational aspects such as algal species, temperature, C/N ratio, retention period, and particle size impact biofuel yield. The highest algal biogas yield reported was 740 mL/gVS, subtracted from Taihu de-oiled algae applying thermos-chemical pretreatment under conditions of temperature, time, and catalyst concentration of 70 °C, 3 h, and 6%, respectively. Another high yield of algal-based biogas was obtained from Laminaria sp. with mechanical pretreatment under temperature, time, and VS concentration of 38 ± 1 °C, 15 min, and 2.5% respectively, with a maximum yield of 615 ± 7 mL/g VS. Although biofuels derived from algae species are only partially commercialized, the feedstock for biogas might soon be commercially grown. Algae and other plant species that could be cultivated on marginal lands as affordable energy crops with the potential to contribute to the production of biogas are promising and are already being worked on.

Strategies to alleviate the unusual effects of climate change on crop production: a thirsty and warm future, low crop quality. A review

Climate change is one of the most common challenges in semiarid regions, which are affected by such constraints as drought, heat stress, and decreased soil fertility. The most important consequences of climate change – rising temperature, decreasing rainfall, and deteriorating quality of some crops – are studied in detail in this review. The main future climate scenarios in semiarid regions include decreased precipitation with highly irregular and unpredictable distribution patterns, with most rainfall concentrated over winter months, prolonged dry spells, early heat stress, exacerbation of edaphic constraints such as reduced soil moisture content, reduced soil organic matter, reduced soil biodiversity, reduced critical nutrient availability, and, ultimately, fewer crop yields. Due to the moisture and soil constraints caused by climate change, the cropping system, crop succession, and soil tillage techniques will need a major overhaul, and this requires modifying soil management and fertilisation, design of some new agro-climatic zoning, including neglected and underutilised crop species in rotations, optimised sowing time windows, expanded irrigation, design of multi-functional cropping systems, conservation agriculture, some changes in agricultural equipment, and the use of climate-smart agriculture practices. Rising carbon dioxide concentrations will decrease nitrogen metabolism by reducing photorespiration, and this reduces the protein content of the grain and worsens the quality of the staple crops. Selection of climate-smart varieties, application of agro-inputs at the right time, right place, and right amount (precision agriculture), and the use of leading technologies such as nano for designing the smart fertiliser should be considered to overcome the adverse effects of climate anomalies.

Eruptive syringomas – An uncommon presentation in a male

Syringomas are benign adnexal tumors derived from the intraepidermal portion of eccrine glands. They are mostly found in young to middle aged women as asymptomatic (sometimes pruritic), soft, and yellowish-brown or skin-colored papules with bilaterally symmetrical distribution. The lesions have a predilection for periorbital area (primarily lower eyelids) and cheeks. A variant-eruptive syringoma presents as successive crops of disseminated lesions in atypical areas. There are very few reports of such cases. Therefore, we report this rare variant of syringoma in a male on an unusual site.

Targeted irrigation expands scope for winter cereal production in water-limited areas of California's San Joaquin Valley

CONTEXTEfforts to achieve groundwater sustainability in California's San Joaquin Valley will entail substantial pumping reductions, and much irrigated cropland may become newly fallowed. Winter crops grown under water-limited conditions could offer an alternative to fallowing, but their viability may be limited by variable rainfall and high crop failure rates. OBJECTIVEThe first objective of this study was to evaluate how small (100–200 mm), targeted irrigation events impact crop establishment, forage and grain yields, and the resulting economic and agronomic water productivity of winter wheat at 4 sites in the San Joaquin Valley. Additionally, we assessed the probability of producing economically viable forage yields across the region based on historical precipitation totals combined with 0, 100, or 200 mm of supplemental irrigation. METHODSWe used APSIM to run 20-yr simulations of winter wheat establishment and productivity under historical weather conditions at four groundwater dependent sites in California's San Joaquin Valley. For each site, we simulated wheat productivity (biomass and grain) under three irrigation scenarios (no irrigation, 100 mm, or 200 mm) and three sowing dates (mid-October, mid-November, and mid-December). We applied model outputs to calculations of economic and agronomic water productivity, and used the modeled relationship between soft dough biomass yield and total water input (precipitation plus irrigation) to determine the likelihood of a successful wheat crop in any given year across the region. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSWe found that two 100 mm applications of irrigation applied at times of critical soil water depletion decreased crop failure rates from 45% of years to 0% of years at the driest site. Economic water productivity was highest when wheat was harvested for forage at the soft dough stage, and agronomic water productivity of soft dough forage was highest with supplemental irrigation and early planting. Given the precipitation requirements to achieve economically viable soft dough-stage forage yields, the addition of 100 mm of irrigation in a single event expanded the potential cropping area to 11% (126,356 ha) of groundwater dependent cropland in the region, while 200 mm of irrigation expanded the potential cropping area to 100% (1,109,888 ha) of cropland. SIGNIFICANCEThese results suggest that small, targeted supplemental irrigation events could greatly expand the scope for water-limited winter forage production in the San Joaquin Valley. Such an approach could serve as an alternative to land fallowing in areas transitioning away from irrigated summer crops where appropriate technological and policy mechanisms are in place.

Agronomic consequences of growing field‐transplanted hybrid potato seedlings

AbstractThe introduction of hybrid breeding in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) requires novel and efficient cropping systems for potato production based on true potato seed (TPS). Such systems address the limitations of conventional seed tuber–based systems, including low multiplication rates, high degeneration rates, and high costs of transport and storage. Of the possible cultivation pathways of TPS, we introduce and discuss the potential of field transplanting nursery‐raised potato seedlings as an alternative system for seed and ware production. This review discusses the current knowledge available on field transplanting of potato seedlings, the key factors that influence the success or failure of the system, and some of the prospective factors that will influence the wide introduction and utilization of field transplanting of potato seedlings in diverse farming systems. A field transplanting system will require the successful production of seedlings in the nursery, a successful establishment of transplanted seedlings in the field, and successful crop management to attain a productive seed or ware crop. The contribution of various factors in the various phases of the system to the success of the transplanted crop is also discussed. The introduction and utilization of the field transplanting system will be accelerated when hybrid breeding focuses on the introgression of traits of interest into high yielding cultivars and when agronomic studies focus on defining factors influencing productivity in distinct phases of the system.

Medium/Long-Term Efficiency of Struvite for Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Production: Effect on Soil Quality

The global rise in population highlights the need for a greater production of quality food. In this regard, intensification of the agricultural sector and an increased use of fertilizers are key. Phosphorus (P), together with nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), is one of the essential elements for plant growth. Modern agriculture is dependent on P derived from phosphate rock, which is a non-renewable resource whose high-quality reserves are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. In this context, alternative sources of P and the development of new recovery technologies are required. Such technologies are increasingly focused on struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) (STR) from urban or livestock wastewater, whose accessibility is guaranteed. In this study, the medium–long term efficiency of STR from urban wastewater as a fertilizer was evaluated in three successive lettuce crops using a 25 kg pot trial. To this end, STR application was compared with the use of other conventional P fertilizers (NPK, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and single superphosphate (SSP)) at a dose of 100 kg P ha−1. Crop biomass yield, P uptake, and the nutritional quality of the plants were determined. Moreover, the effect of STR on soil quality was examined using several soil biological indicators. In general, the STR treatment yielded similar biomass results to those obtained with NPK in the three successive lettuce crops. MAP and SSP treatments produced higher biomass in the first crop, but these values diminished in the next two. In relation to the effect on soil, STR treatment maintained the concentration of available P during the three growing cycles and enhanced microbial activity and functional diversity. On the basis of our findings, STR emerges as a sustainable P-fertilization strategy for lettuce production.

Total Phenolic Exudation and Allelopathic Potential of Sunflower Residues as Sustainable Weed Management

Total releasing phenolic compounds and allelopathic potential of the three sunflower genotypes Helianthus annuus L. residues were evaluated under open field conditions on weed flora associated with the proposed crops; wheat, broad bean and flax which are cultivated usually after the sunflower crop as successive crops. After getting seed from the sunflower crop. After getting seeds, sunflower plant parts were chopped and incorporated with field soil using a rotavator. Regarding the phenolics, total phenolic compounds released from sunflower residues were increased in-field soil and reached the highest concentration in the fourth week after mixing with soil. Significant suppression of weed flora was observed when the weed density and weed dry matter were reduced. Sakha sunflower genotype had the most effect, while Ishaqi genotype had the least amount of phenolic compounds. The residue of the Sakha genotype effectively suppressed over 80% of targeted weeds. The results indicate that the allelopathic potential of sunflower residues can cause suppression of weed flora which can be useful as an attractive alternative natural way to reduce synthetic herbicides as sustainable weed management.

Poultry litter and different cover crops and their effects on the edaphic fauna community of an Oxisol

The use of soil cover plants and alternative sources of nitrogen fertilization can promote improvements in the biological characteristics of the soil. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of the isolated and/or intercropped cultivation of ground cover crops in autumn/winter and the use of poultry litter as a source of N in the wheat crop in succession on the soil mesofauna and macrofauna community. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with split plots, in a factorial arrangement (4 x 4), with three replications. The collections of the edaphic fauna were realized with pitfall traps PROVID in plots of 15 m². The edaphic fauna orders, abundance, Shannon diversity, Simpson dominance, Pielou evenness and the family of organisms of the order Collembola were evaluated. The use of ground cover plants in autumn/winter, induced a greater abundance of edaphic fauna organisms, which were mostly represented by the order Collembola, belonging to the Entomobryidae family. The isolated or intercropped cultivation of cover crops, associated with the use of N via poultry litter, enabled a greater diversity of organisms and a uniform distribution of different groups in the edaphic community.