Macrofauna Activity Density in Contrasting Tillage Systems in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Abstract

In Argentina, two tillage systems are used, conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT). The aim was to determine the grounddwelling macrofauna taxa and compare the impacts of both NT and CT on their activity density. Samples were taken within wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (August-December) and maize (Zea mays L.) (November-April) crop fields under CT and NT during three cropping seasons (Cycles 1, 2, and 3). Ten pitfall traps 10 m apart were placed in each field. Traps were collected every 15 d throughout the crop cycles to determine activity density (individuals plot -1 ) of soil macrofauna. Invertebrates were counted and identified to the class level; Insecta were further identified to order, family, or species levels. Higher mean total macrofauna activity density was found under NT than CT for Cycle 1 in wheat and Cycles 1 and 3 in maize. Arachnida activity density was higher under NT than CT in only a few crop cycles. Carabidae showed no preference for any tillage system. Orthoptera showed more activity density under NT than CT. The activity density of the Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera specimens were higher under CT than NT in some wheat and maize seasons. Diplopoda and Crustacea had higher activity density under NT than CT. In conclusion, the total activity density was consistently greater under NT, but there were differences within taxonomic groups.

Effect of agricultural practices on terrestrial isopods: a review

“…On the other hand, soil animals depend on both the composition of the leaf litter (Zimmer and Topp 1997, 2000) and abiotic environmental conditions (Zimmer et al 2000). Human practices, such as soil tillage and pesticide application, affect soil macrofaunal abundance and biodiversity (Dangerfield 1990, Souty-Grosset et al 2005a, b, Manetti et al 2013) and create disequilibrium. Chemical pollution, along with soil acidification, adversely affects soil fauna (Natal da Luz et al 2004, Zimmer and Topp 1997).…”

“…However, this species has taken on considerable importance in agricultural land under NT systems (Trumper 2001, Faberi et al 2011). Its abundance is higher in NT with respect to CT in winter-spring and in summer-autumn seasons (Manetti et al 2013). In addition, this species represents a high proportion of the total abundance of arthropods in NT systems, reaching up to 45.5%, while under CT systems it represents approximately 1–9 % of the total abundance of macro-arthropod decomposers (Manetti et al 2013).…”

“…Its abundance is higher in NT with respect to CT in winter-spring and in summer-autumn seasons (Manetti et al 2013). In addition, this species represents a high proportion of the total abundance of arthropods in NT systems, reaching up to 45.5%, while under CT systems it represents approximately 1–9 % of the total abundance of macro-arthropod decomposers (Manetti et al 2013). The other isopod species, P.scaber and B.sellowii colonizing agricultural land, were always found under NT systems.…”

Herbicide‐resistant weeds from dryland agriculture in Argentina

“…Other benefits associated with no‐till systems were also evident in terms of soil erosion and soil moisture conservation (Mark et al, 1995; Qaim & Traxler, 2005). After some years of implementation of no‐till, some negative effects have been reported, for example, a higher incidence of pests such as horned beetle, slugs and isopods (Hammond et al, 1996; Johnson et al, 2012; Lietti et al, 2008; Manetti et al, 2013; Stinner & House, 1990), as well as leaf spot diseases (Bailey, 1996). In addition, the reduction in crop rotation and herbicide modes of action has been associated with changes in weed communities in which replacement of broad‐leaf species by annual grass species, and higher incidence of wind‐dispersed and woody species have been observed in Argentina (de la Fuente et al, 2006; Scursoni & Satorre, 2010; Tuesca et al, 2001).…”