Influence of Cover Crop Termination on Ground Dwelling Arthropods in Organic Vegetable Systems

Abstract

A key aspect in cover crop management is termination before the cash crop is planted. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of termination methods on ground-dwelling arthropods. The conventional mechanical termination method—i.e., green manuring by means of a disc harrow—was compared to flattening using a roller crimper. Two different crop systems were investigated for two growing seasons; cauliflower was grown in autumn after the termination of a mixture of cowpea, pearl millet, and radish, and tomato was cropped in spring and summer after the termination of a mixture of barley and vetch. Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and spiders (Araneae) were sampled by means of standard pitfall traps throughout the growing season of both cash crops. The roller crimper increased the overall abundance of ground beetles in the first growing season of both cash crops, whereas in the second year, no significant effect could be detected. Rove beetles were more abundant in plots where the cover crops were terminated by the roller crimper. Finally, green manuring increased the abundance of spiders, especially on the first sampling date after cover crop termination. Albeit different taxa showed different responses, the termination of cover crops by a roller crimper generally increased the abundance of ground dwelling arthropods. Given that most of the sampled species were generalist predators, their increased abundance could possibly improve biological control.

The concurrent assessment of agronomic, ecological and environmental variables enables better choice of agroecological service crop termination management

“…Moreover, the ADs of ground and rove beetles were higher under NT‐RC plots, which are generally sensitive to soil disturbance (Pretorius et al, 2018; Rivers et al, 2017; Tamburini et al, 2016). Our results agree with previous studies regarding the effects of ASC termination on soil functional diversity (Depalo et al, 2020; Magagnoli et al, 2018). The NT‐RC strategy has been shown to reduce the direct impact of tillage (for ASC incorporation and weeding operations) on organisms living in the upper soil layers (Roger‐Estrade et al, 2010; Sommaggio et al, 2018) and to create favourable conditions (i.e.…”

“…Nevertheless, both positive and negative effects have been observed on cash crop yields when NT‐RC is implemented under Mediterranean conditions (Canali et al, 2013; Ciaccia et al, 2016; Diacono et al, 2017). In addition, few studies have examined the impact of cover crop termination on beneficial soil fauna (Depalo et al, 2020; Magagnoli et al, 2018), root growth and soil nitrogen (Hefner, Canali, et al, 2020; Hefner, Gebremikael, et al, 2020).…”

Supporting Beneficial Insects for Agricultural Sustainability: The Role of Livestock-Integrated Organic and Cover Cropping to Enhance Ground Beetle (Carabidae) Communities

“…A study done by Rivers et al [56] also found an increase in ground beetle activity density and richness during their 3-year transition to organic experiment. However, previous studies were done either only for a short and transition to organic period [29,54,57] or in the established organic phase [30,58], which may not be representative of the temporal changes occurring during both transition to and established organic phases.…”

Impact of Post-Harvest Management Practices in Corn (Zea mays L.) Fields on Arthropods in Subsequent Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) Plantings

“…Other studies have also disclosed fewer spiders in conventional than no-tillage systems [ 51 , 52 ]. However, a study investigating two cover crop termination practices (roller crimper vs. green manuring with a disk harrow) on ground predators showed that green manuring increased spider abundance [ 53 ]. The authors proposed that spiders responded to the enhanced detrital food chain that occurred after cover crop residue was incorporated into the soil.…”