Soil Macrofauna Behaviour in the Presence of Pesticides and Organic Amendments

Abstract

Insects attack vegetable crop, leading to an overuse of pesticides. Organic amendments are recommended to increase soil fertility. The impact of two insecticides, on soil macrofauna under rainfed cultivation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) with or without organic amendments was evaluated.The insecticides were Lambda Super (lambda-cyhalothrin) and Dursban (chlorpyrifos ethyl) and organic amendments were compost, pig manure and cattle manure. An experimental device in split-plot with three replicate was installed. Pesticides were applied periodically each week during the experiment. The results have showed that with organic amendments, Lambda super increased the earthworm population compared to the control. Indeed, we found 42 individuals/m 2 with compost; 1 individuals/m 2 with pig manure and 27 individuals/m 2 with cattle manure but the control was 0 individuals/m 2 in the presence of Lambda super without organic amendment. Similarly, Dursban increased the population of earthworms in the presence of organic amendment with 11, 37 and 91 individuals/m 2 respectively for compost, pig manure and cattle manure. Lambda super with compost has led to a total elimination of termites. In the presence of Dursban, a decrease in the number of termites was observed when adding cattle manure (11 individuals/ m 2 ) compared to the control containing only Dursban (21 individuals/m 2 ). Better distribution of macrofauna was obtained with treatment with Dursban and compost (E = 0.99 for earthworms and E = 0.96 for termites). All organic amendments used in our study stimulated earthworm population, but more in the presence of Lambda super or Dursban.

Impact of Pesticides Application on Epigeic Fauna in Tomato Cultivation

“…In this study, the authors reported a greater effect of pesticides on soil macrofauna members (worms, termites, beetles, ants, bedbugs, spiders, and spiders). In addition, Nare et al [21] showed in the treatments of organic fertilization, such as (bovine manure, swine manure and a compound of vegetal residues + bovine manure) there was a increase in the abundance of earthworms and termites, even in the presence of pesticides…”

“…; Article no.JEAI.41008 increase in the abundance of certain species [21] observed a cyhalothrin and chlorpyrifos insecticides used to control tomato pests on soil fauna. In this study, the authors reported a greater effect of pesticides on soil a members (worms, termites, beetles, ants, bedbugs, spiders, and spiders).…”

Effets combinés du compost, du Paraquat et de la Lambdacyhalothrine sur la macrofaune du sol sous culture pluviale de sésame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> L.) au Burkina Faso

“…Ce qui montre que les pesticides étudiés ont été toxiques pour la macrofaune du sol entraînant ainsi une baisse de sa densité. Nos résultats corroborent ceux de plusieurs auteurs dont Robertson et al (1998), Charbonnier et al (2015 et Naré et al (2017). Ces derniers auteurs, dans une étude similaire, ont montré que la Lambdacyhalothrine entraînait une élimination totale de la population de termites même en présence du compost.…”

“…Par ailleurs, le compost favorise également le développement de la macrofaune du sol dû aux nutriments divers qu'il renferme (Charland et al, 2001). Nos résultats concernant l'impact des pesticides testés sur la diversité de la macrofaune corroborent ceux de Traoré et al (2012) et Naré et al (2017) qui ont obtenu un meilleur indice de diversité et d'équitabilité de la macrofaune du sol en présence du compost. Ainsi, le compost améliore la diversité de la population de macrofaune, toute chose qui est en faveur d'une fertilisation des sols par application du compost.…”

Combined Effects of Compost, Supraxone and Lambda-Super on Soil Microbial Activity under Pluvial Cultivation of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Burkina Faso

“…In Burkina Faso studies have shown the use of several pesticide formulations at widely varying doses (Gomgnimbou et al 2009). Although effective in controlling crop pests, pesticide use causes damage that leads to reduced soil fertility (Schreinemachers & Tipraqsa 2012;Naré et al 2017). After pesticide application, a significant portion is concentrated in the soil as a result of runoff, infiltration, adsorption and desorption processes.…”