Oribatid mites of conventional and organic vineyards in the Valencian Community, Spain

Abstract

In this study the oribatid mite communities of conventional and organic vineyards in theValencian Community (Spain) were compared. The soil samples were collected in El Poble Nou de Benitatxell in autumn 2014 and spring 2015 from four sites, treated as replicates, each including a conventional vineyard, an organic vineyard, and a control (natural habitat, i.e. in plots 1-3 an abandoned vineyard, in plot 4 an area never used in agriculture). Two parallel samples were collected in each vineyard from a zone between vine rows, driven by a tractor (Tr), a zone between vines (Vi), the border of the vineyard (Bo) and from a control, making a total of 112 samples. In total 3,225 oribatid mites were obtained represented by 59 species. No differences were found in density of Oribatida between the conventional, organic vineyards and the control, but the species diversity was higher in the control than in the vineyards. In the vineyards the density and species number of the oribatid mites were highest between vines (the average from all vineyards and both seasons was 4,400 individuals per 1 m2, 15 species), followed by the border of the vineyards (2,800 individuals per 1 m2, 14 species) and were lowest between vine rows (400 individuals per 1 m2, 6 species). The species diversity of Oribatida was higher in autumn than in spring, while the density followed this pattern only in the vineyards, but not in the control. In the vineyards Oribatula excavata dominated (D = 25), followed by Minunthozetes quadriareatus and Passalozetes africanus (D = 18 and 14, respectively), while in the control these species were not abundant. In the control the most abundant species was Oppiella subpectinata (D = 28), followed by Eremulus flagellifer (D = 20). Podoribates longipes and Steganacarus boulfekhari are reported for the first time in Spain. To conclude, the oribatid mites did not benefit from the organic cultivation of the vineyards, probably because they are tolerant to herbicides used in the conventional systems but sensitive to mechanical cultivation of soil, which was even more intense in organic vineyards than in the conventional ones.

Vineyard Management and Its Impacts on Soil Biodiversity, Functions, and Ecosystem Services

“…Other vineyards in Europe need to be sampled to extend our knowledge of these groups, particularly their diversity and abundance. The abundance of some species seem to be enhanced by organic management as observed by Seniczak et al (2018). Furthermore, vineyard management includes many different levels of impact (i.e., fertilization, mowing frequency) that affect this mesofauna (Fiera et al, 2020).…”

Ecological indication potential of oribatid mites

“…The proportion of Oribatid species will be greater in stable, undisturbed environments (Gulvik et al, 2008). Seniczak et al (2018) collected mites from soil samples from vineyards in Mediterranean climate in Spain (El Poble Nou de Benitatxell). Natural vegetation, which was not under cultivation, was used as a control.…”

New host plant records of Humerobates rostrolamellatus Grandjean in Italy

“…The species has been encountered in association with various plant species: it has been collected in orchards in Belgium (ANDRE et al, 1984); in barberry orchards in Canada, Chrysanthemum L. flowers in Scotland, soils with Primula L. in Ireland, heather plants and carnation flowers in England, Rhododendron L. plants and Trollius L. roots in the Netherlands, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck in Greece, and Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. in Hawaii (HAMMER, 1969). Other plant association records include mites found in organic vineyards in Spain (SENICZAK et al, 2018), plum trees in England (MURPHY and BALLA, 1973), and grapefruit trees in Cyprus (GEORGHIOU, 1959). But the most studied fruit tree in regard to H. rostrolamellatus is the apple tree, with early studies in Ireland (MACQUILLAN, 1966), east Canada (RASMY andMACPHEE, 1970) and England (JALIL, 1969;MURPHY and BALLA, 1973).…”