Soil Quality Indicators as Affected by a Long Term Barley-Maize and Maize Cropping Systems

Abstract

Most soil studies aim a better characterization of the system through indicators. In the present study nematofauna and soil structure were chosen as indicators to be assess soil health as related to agricultural practices. The field research was carried out on the two fodder cropping systems continuous maize (CM, Zea mays L.) and a 3-year rotation of silage-maize -silage-barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with Italian ryegrass (R3) and grain-maize maintained in these conditions for 18 years. Each crop system was submitted to two management options: 1) the high input level (H), done as a conventional tillage, 2) the low input level (L), where the tillage was replaced by harrowing and the manure was reduced by 30%. The effects of the two different cropping systems was assessed on soil nematofauna and soil physic parameters (structure or aggregate stability). Comparison was made of general composition, trophic structure and biodiversity of the nematofauna collected in both systems. Differences in nematode genera composition and distribution between the two systems were also recorded. The monoculture, compared to the three year rotation, had a negative influence on the nematofauna composition and its ecological succession. The Structural Stability Index (SSI) values indicate that both the cropping systems had a negative effect on the aggregate stability. The results indicate that nematofauna can be used to assess the effects of cropping systems on soil ecosystem, and therefore be considered a good indicator of soil health to integrate information from different chemical or physical indicators.

Depth-stratified soil sampling for assessing nematode communities

“…Because tillage and the incorporation of plant residues can favor groups of nematodes with short life cycles and low c-p values, especially bacterial-feeding species LENZ;EISENBEIS, 2000), this is reflected in the low ecosystem stability at depths of 0-10 cm, characteristic of succession communities (MANACHINI et al, 2009). …”

Assessment of the ecotoxicity of phytotreatment substrate soil as landfill cover material for in-situ leachate management

“…Based on our literature review, there are no studies in which the wetlands growing medium has been chemically characterised and compared with the reference values set by the current legislations. However, a chemical analysis for a substance-based approach is not sufficient because the soil is a very complex living matrix including soil fauna along with microorganisms (EFSA, 2017;Manachini et al, 2009). These can absorb elements such as carbon and nitrogen, to degrade organic compounds and to amass stock substances in the form of humus (EFSA, 2017;Jacomini et al, 2000).…”

Ecological risk assessment of agricultural soils for the definition of soil screening values: A comparison between substance-based and matrix-based approaches

“…These system properties refer not only to ecological aspects but also to socio-economic issues. They rely on different parameters such as indexes of diversity or ecosystem services [20, 22, 23, 24, 25]. Instead, laboratory scale mono-specific bioassays with the assessment of several common endpoints (such as growth, reproduction and mortality) are faster, cheaper and more easily executable tests in order to obtain effects data.…”