Influence of mineral fertilization on edaphic fauna in Acacia auriculiformis (A. Cunn) plantations

Abstract

SUMMARYFertilization and/or the accumulation of organic matter from plant residues can influence the composition of soil and litter community. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of P and K fertilization on total faunal and nematode faunal composition and richness in plant litter and soil for 360 days in an area reforested with Acacia auriculiformis (A. Cunn), located in the municipality of Conceição de Macabu in the State of Rio de Janeiro. For each treatment (fertilized and unfertilized plots), samples of litter and soil (to a depth of 5 cm) were collected and transferred into a Berlese-Tüllgren funnels for the extraction of fauna. Mesofauna and macrofauna were quantified, and the major taxa identified. Nematodes were extracted by centrifugal flotation in sucrose solution and identified according to feeding habits. Density (number of individuals m -2 ) of total fauna, microphages, social insects and saprophages varied significantly per treatment and sampling time in both litter and soil. The total number of individuals collected was 5,127, and the total number of nematodes 894. Phosphorus and potassium fertilization resulted in an increase in total fauna density and richness in the litter due to an increased abundance of social insects, saprophages and herbivores. In the soil, fertilization increased the saprophage and predator densities. Saprophages were the predominant taxa in the litter, while social insects (Formicidae) prevailed in the soil. Litter nematode populations were favored by mineral fertilization. Bacteriophages were the predominant nematode group in both litter and soil.Index terms: soil invertebrates, nematode, forest plantations, litter.( A adubação ou o acúmulo de matéria orgânica via resíduos vegetais pode influenciar a composição da comunidade da fauna do solo e da serapilheira. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da adubação mineral com P e K sobre a composição e a riqueza da fauna e da nematofauna da serapilheira e do solo em uma área reflorestada com Acacia auriculiformis (A. Cunn), em um período de 360 dias, no município de Conceição de Macabu, RJ. Em cada tratamento (parcela adubada e não adubada), coletaram-se amostras de serapilheira e de solo (até a profundidade de 5 cm), que foram transferidas para funis de Berlese-Tüllgren para a extração da fauna. Meso e macrofauna foram quantificadas e identificadas em nível de grandes grupos taxonômicos. Os nematoides foram extraídos pelo método de flutuação centrífuga em solução de sacarose e identificados de acordo com seus hábitos alimentares. A densidade (número de indivíduos m -2 ) da fauna total e a de micrófagos, insetos sociais e saprófagos variaram significativamente entre tratamentos e época de coleta, na serapilheira e no solo. O total de indivíduos da fauna foi de 5.127 e de nematoides, 894. Na serapilheira, a adubação com P e K contribuiu para o aumento da densidade e riqueza da fauna total, especificamente de insetos sociais, saprófagos e herbívoros. Já no solo, a adubação promoveu o aumento da densida...

Soil fauna: Bioindicator of soil recovery in Brazilian savannah

“…This result was evidenced by the high correlation between the majority of soil chemical attributes (pH, P, Ca, Mg, CEC and V) and D20 (Figure 2). The same pattern favoring the abundance of taxonomic groups distributed in different trophic guilds as a reflection of the increase in soil fertility provided by fertilization, although mineral fertilization was used in this case, was previously observed in a monospecific planting of Acacia auriculiformis, in Conceição de Macabu, state of Rio de Janeiro (Ribeiro et al, 2014). The increase in soil fertility, caused by fertilization, is probably responsible for the increase of plant and microbial biomass (Alves et al, 2008).…”

“…Cunn.) planting in the countryside of the state of Rio de Janeiro, mineral fertilization of the soil with simple superphosphate and potassium chloride caused an increase in the richness and total density of the community present in the litter layer disposed on the soil surface (Ribeiro et al, 2014). However, these authors verified that this soil preparation decreased the values of these same attributes in the soil compartment, compared to the absence of fertilization.…”

Effects of Olive Mill Wastewater on Soil Microarthropods and Soil Chemistry in Two Different Cultivation Scenarios in Israel and Palestinian Territories

“…The consequently increased nitrate consumption explains the observed depletion of nitrate. Also increased phosphorous and potassium contents are known to positively influence soil fauna [68] and induce migration [69]. The lack of increased emergence of Oribatida in Bait Reema two and three weeks after OMW application indicates the persistence of the toxic effects throughout the study period, probably in combination with water deficit outbalancing beneficial effects such as the additional organic matter.…”

Abundance and Diversity of Soil Macrofauna in Native Forest, Eucalyptus Plantations, Perennial Pasture, Integrated Crop-Livestock, and No-Tillage Cropping

“…Similarly, in a study involving P and K fertilization of Acacia auriculiformis (A. Cunn) plantations in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Ribeiro et al (2014) found a positive relationship between diversity and abundance of soil fauna and nutrient availability. The authors suggested that this response was related to the greater amount of litter input in the fertilized systems.…”