Oribatid mites in different Mediterranean crop rotations fertilized with animal droppings

Abstract

Unsustainable soil management is one of the drivers of soil degradation, but impact assessment requires the development of indicators. Oribatids might be considered as early indicators of disturbances due to the stability of their community. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of oribatids as bioindicators of sustainable agricultural practices. Under a dry Mediterranean climate, three fertilization experiments – two under a two-crop rotation system and one under maize monoculture and established 12 years earlier – were sampled 3× for oribatid identification during the last annual cropping cycle. The hypothesis was that different nutrient and crop managements affect the number of oribatid species and individuals present, and these parameters could be used as indicators of soil degradation. In total, 18 oribatid species were identified, and 1974 adult individuals were recovered. Maximum abundance was found prior to sowing. Pig slurry (PS) vs. control, and dairy cattle manure (CM) vs. mineral fertilization increased oribatid abundance. This increase was evident when the average applied rates with PS were ca. 2 Mg of organic matter (OM) ha− 1 yr− 1, or higher than ca. 4 Mg OM ha− 1 yr− 1 for CM. When the preceding crop was wheat and PS or CM were used, Oribatula (Zygoribatula) excavata (which reproduces sexually) predominated. In maize monoculture fertilized with CM, Tectocepheus sarekensis and Acrotritia ardua americana (which can reproduce through parthenogenesis) prevailed vs. Oribatula, which indicated a heavily disturbed soil. Under this specific Mediterranean environment, the predominance of certain parthenogenic oribatid species and the number of individuals provide advanced warning on soil degradation.

Sustainability Assessment after Twenty Years of Sewage Sludge Application on Calcareous Soil Following N or P Criterion

“…The presence of the eurytopic species T. sarekensis is important because Tectocepheidae are commonly found in cultivated soils and heavily disturbed areas [61]. Tectocepheus sarekensis and A. ardua have been identified as suitable indicators for negative agricultural management impacts [62]. Moreover, T. sarekensis is also suitable for assessing the degree of ecosystem vulnerability [30].…”

Open farmland is a hotspot of soil fauna community around facility farmland during a cold wave event

“…Therefore, sources of soil water, that is irrigation and rainfall, might affect soil fauna in both farmlands. Additionally, crop rotation affected the richness and abundance of Collembola (Twardowski et al, 2016), oribatid mites (Bosch-Serra et al, 2023), and other soil fauna (O'Rourke et al, 2008). A tomato/strawberry rotation with intensive management was performed in the facility farmland, .…”