Soil Arthropod Abundance and Diversity Following Land Application of Swine Slurry

Abstract

Soil arthropods play an important role in nutrient cycling and maintenance of soil structure, and their abundance and diversity provide an indication of the biological quality of soil. Land application of livestock manure provides crop nutrients and may also impact the soil arthropod community. This study was conducted to quantify soil arthropod abundance and diversity for a period of one year following swine manure application via broadcast or injection. Arthropods were extracted from plot soil samples using Berlese funnels, identified and counted, and the QBS index (Qualità Biologica del Suolo) was calculated for each soil sample. Collembola (Hypogastruridae and Isotomidae) populations were greater (p < 0.05) in the broadcast plots than the injection or control plots. Pseudoscorpiones were more abundant (p < 0.05) in the injection treatment compared to the broadcast and control treatments. Acari populations and the QBS index were not significantly impacted by manure application.

Effect of swine manure on soil health properties: A systematic review

“…The application of swine manure generally increases SOC and SOM, although the exact increases are variable (Table 2). The lengths of the studies summarized in Table 2 ranged from 1 (Antoneli et al., 2019; Bao et al., 2013; Schuster et al., 2019) to 35 yr (Zhou et al., 2020). The reported SOC and SOM concentrations are highly variable, ranging from ∼4 (Bernal et al., 1992) to 64 g SOC kg −1 (Mbagwu et al., 1994) and from 8 (Shi et al., 2009) to 68 g SOM kg −1 (Bao et al., 2013).…”

“…Similar results were found in total K (Table 3). Total K ranged from 30 (Schuster et al., 2019) to 16,560 mg K kg −1 (Zhong et al., 2010). The increase in total K following swine manure application ranged from 4 (Xun et al., 2016) to 196% (Mbagwu et al., 1994).…”

“…Mbagwu et al (1994) found that SOC increased in sandy clay loam soil (74-141%) more than in clay soils (28-78%) whether swine manure was applied alone or with an inorganic fertilizer. Whereas Mbagwu et al (1994) showed a large increase in SOC in clay soils, Balota et al (2012), Bao et al (2013), Schuster et al (2019), and Zhong et al (2010 reported small increases in SOC or SOM concentrations (<1-25%). The increase in SOC and SOM concentrations in silty soils was between the percent increases in sandy and clayey soils.…”

Soil Health and Arthropods: From Complex System to Worthwhile Investigation

“…Few studies report the use of this group as soil quality indicator, and often it is discussed together with other members of arthropod community [2,20]. In a study aimed to evaluate the effects of different swine manure applications on soil arthropod abundance and diversity, Pseudoscorpionida were more abundant in the injection treatment throughout most of the post-manure application period [24]. Çakir [6] showed that a natural disturbance, such as the one caused by the ant Formica rufa (Linnaeus, 1758), affected the abundance of this group negatively.…”

“…Moreover, this group's requirements are found in depth, under constant conditions of water and humidity [16,23]. On the other hand, in a study aimed to define the effects of different swine manure applications on soil arthropod abundance and diversity, Diplura showed not to be affected by the type of treatment [24].…”