Bottom-up effects on arthropod communities in Platycyamus regnellii (Fabaceae) fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge

Abstract

Sewage sludge is a nitrogen-rich organic compound, which can be used to aid development in plants such as Platycyamus regnellii (Fabaceae), in the recovery of degraded areas. This study aimed to assess the bottom-up effects on leaf mass and percentage ofground cover (leaf litter, herbaceous plants, and grasses) in P. regnellii trees fertilized (or not) with dehydrated sewage sludge and arthropod communities over 24 months. Platycyamus regnellii trees fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge presented significantly more leavesper branch, branches per tree, and a higher percentage of ground cover compared to unfertilized trees. Phenacoccus sp. (Pseudococcidae) was the most abundant phytophagous insect associated with P. regnellii trees. Fertilization did not affect the abundance, diversity, and species richness of Hemiptera phytophagous on P. regnellii trees. However, fertilizedtrees presented higher abundance and species richness of trophobiont-tending ants compared to unfertilized trees, with Camponotus sp. being the most abundant regardless of the treatment. Fertilized P. regnellii trees also presented higher species richness of natural enemies compared to unfertilized ones, with Aranae and Dolichopodidae being the most abundant. We concluded that fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge improved P. regnellii trees leafmass and ground cover and increased the diversity of trophobiont-tending ants and natural enemies. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the arthropods community associated withthis tree species. This suggests that upon fertilization, P. renellii trees are useful for ecological restoration in severely disturbed areas.

Arthropods as possible loss or solution sources on Acacia mangium (Fabales: Fabaceae) saplings

“…Phenacoccus sp. was the most abundant phytophagous insect on Platycyamus regnellii (Benth) (Fabales: Fabaceae) trees fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge (Souza et al, 2021) (Schulthess et al, 1991;Culik and Gullan, 2005;Culik et al, 2007;Rebolledo-Martínez et al, 2013;Santos and Peronti, 2017). The A. reticulatum is a pest that reduces the development of fruits and sprouts, leading to hypertrophy and cracks in the apex of seedlings and, possibly, killing plants of "mulungu" Erythrina speciosa Andrews (Fabales: Fabaceae) (Araújo et al, 2010;Zanuncio et al, 2015).…”

Phenological description and thermal time requirements for the seedling phase of three Brazilian native forest species

“…Its bark and roots are used in folk medicine with multiple actions against fever, poor digestion, and inappetence (Souza et al, 2021). P. regnellii is also used in landscaping and recovery of degraded areas (Ferreira et al, 2015; Souza et al, 2021).…”

“…Its wood has several uses, being suitable for the real estate sector due to its high density (0.81 g cm À3 ) (Lorenzi, 2014;Saueressig, 2017). Its bark and roots are used in folk medicine with multiple actions against fever, poor digestion, and inappetence (Souza et al, 2021). P. regnellii is also used in landscaping and recovery of degraded areas (Ferreira et al, 2015;Souza et al, 2021).…”