Edaphic fauna affects soybean productivity under no-till system

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of edaphic fauna under a no-tillage system with different levels of soybean productivity [High (NTH), Medium (NTM) and Low (NTL)] in the west of Santa Catarina (Brazil), identifying which chemical and physical variables most affect them, and the best indicators that can be used. Native forest (NF) areas were used as a reference. A total of 207 samples of soil fauna were collected by soil monolith and pitfall trap methods over two years of evaluation in four municipalities. Based on edaphic fauna data, Shannon-Wiener (H'), Pielou (J), Dominance (D), Margalef and Fisher Alpha (α) indices were generated, in addition to the average richness and abundance. Data from NTs were submitted to analysis of variance and compared by Tukey's test (p > 0.05). The NF was used as a reference and compared with the agriculture system by Dunnett test (p > 0.05), and regressions between soybean productivity and diversity indices. The H', Margalef, α indices, and average richness for soil fauna sampled by soil monoliths followed the productivity gradient NTH > NTM > NTL, showing a positive correlation with the increase of soybean productivity. NTH has a diversity index similar to that of NF. Soybean productivity is affected by the richness and diversity of edaphic fauna, but abundance was not sensitive in predicting treatments under no-tillage; Fisher's alpha index was more sensitive in treatment separation with soil monoliths. The environmental variables aluminum, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium and penetration resistance affect the fauna edaphic.

Edaphic macrofauna associated with the cultivation of maize (Zea maiz)

“…Variables such as MO, affect the distribution of the edaphic groups of fauna 48 , pH values close to 7, the number of individuals may decrease, however, this is in accordance with the type of soil use 49 . In this study, the pH was between 8.5 and 8.3 for the postharvest period.…”

Fauna epiedáfica associada a fragmentos florestais de Araucaria angustifolia em diferentes condições edafoclimáticas no estado do Paraná

“…Machado et al (2015), destaca que o estádio sucessional da floresta da Mata Atlântica influência na estrutura da fauna edáfica, relatando maior número de indivíduos associados, bem como uma maior atividade de grupos com diferentes funções no ecossistema, presentes na área de melhor heterogeneidade de recursos vegetais. Além disto, o padrão de ocorrência destes mesmos grupos é comumente relatado em estudos em florestas naturais (Brancher & Roza-Gomes, 2012;Pereira et al, 2017;Arenhardt et al, 2017;Demetrio et al, 2020;Kraft et al, 2021).…”

Soil Fertility: Challenges to Soybean (𝘎𝘭𝘺𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘹 L.) Productivity in Consolidated No-Tillage System

“…For data analysis, the points within each municipality were reordered to better separate the most productive points from the least productive ones, which was only possible because the data collections were made for each point sampled, respecting a distance (30 m) that guarantees the independence of the points. From these points, the treatments were grouped (NTH, NTM, and NTL) and the mean was calculated, considering each municipality a true replicate of the evaluated system, according to Kraft et al (2021). Thus, three levels of productivity × four municipalities (3 × 4 = 12) were established in the 2016/2017 agricultural year and three levels of productivity × three municipalities (3× 3 = 9) were established in the 2017/2018 agricultural year.…”

“…Adapted fromKraft et al, 2021.SOIL FERTILITY: CHALLENGES TO SOYBEAN (Glycine max L.) PRODUCTIVITY IN CONSOLIDATED NO-TILLAGE SYSTEM…”