Edaphic fauna influenced by the use of soil cover crops and intercropping

Abstract

The edaphic fauna is considered sensitive and responds relatively fast to the impact of different types of production systems, thereby enabling its use as an active component for evaluating soil quality. This study was conducted to determine the influence of black oat, turnip, vetch and the intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip/black oat in the structure and composition of the edaphic fauna. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a 6x4 factorial scheme, consisting of six soil cover crops (black oat, turnip and vetch, the intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip /black oat and fallow ground) and four sampling times (0, 50, 100 and 150 days after sowing), with four replications. After collecting the soil fauna, the abundance of individuals, Collembola number, Margalef richness, Shannon diversity index, Pielou equitability and Simpson dominance were determined. The intercropping of turnip/black oat and vetch/turnip/black oat favored the abundance of individuals and the Collembola number, within the first 50 days. The intercropping of vetch/turnip/black oat reduced the Shannon diversity index by increasing the Collembola population. The highest species diversity was observed at 100 days after the crops implantation. The edphic fauna was influenced by the vegetative stage and soil cover crop types.