Soil microarthropod response to the application of entomopathogenic nematode-killed insects in maize and flower strip habitats

Insects killed by entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) represent a resource with which soil arthropods can interact. These interactions can be positive for EPN (e.g., arthropods serve as parasitic or phoretic hosts) or negative (e.g., EPN serve as prey). Plant diversity and soil disturbance may influence these interactions. We investigated the effects of maize and flower strip habitats on microarthropod abundance and community composition in soil surrounding greater wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella, infected with the EPN Steinernema carpocapsae (Sc). In the first year of the experiment (2005), we compared microarthropod communities responding to burial of Sc-killed insects with a control (no soil disturbance). In 2006, we added two control treatments: burial of freezer-killed insects and sham burial. Soil samples (including G. mellonella) were collected 2 and 20 days (2005) or 2 and 12 days (2006) after application. In 2005, arthropod abundance and community composition were similar between maize and flower strip habitats. In 2006, we detected more arthropods in the maize than the flower strips. In both years, community composition differed between treatments providing resources (Sc-killed and freezer-killed insects) and those without (sham burial and no disturbance), with the greatest difference on the final sampling date. Soil surrounding Sc-killed and freezer-killed insects contained more dipterans, acarid mites, staphylinid beetles, onychiurid and entomobryid collembolans, and immature and male mesostigmatid mites than soil at sham burial and no disturbance sites. Most of these taxa are capable of nematophagy; however, EPN relative abundance was not associated with arthropod community composition.     

Adaptation of soil quality indices and application to three tillage systems in southern Illinois

Sustainability of agricultural management systems has become an issue of wide public concern and international debate. One result is that soil quality assessment has been suggested as a tool for evaluating sustainability of soil and crop management practices. Our objective was to adapt a soil quality index to assess the effects of three long-term tillage systems on sloping Grantsburg silt loam soil. Soil quality was evaluated using a framework that included three soil functions: (1) resist erosion (water relations), (2) provide plant nutrients (nutrient relations), and (3) provide a favorable root environment (rooting relations). A score for each of these functions was computed using measurements (indicators) that were normalized with one of the three (more is better, optimum, or worse) scoring functions. Six different indices were developed from a basic framework. Modifications included changing the weighting factors, threshold limits, or type of scoring function applied to indicators, and the addition of air-filled and water storage porosity to the nutrient and rooting relations functions. Changing threshold limits and the type of scoring function used for surface residue improved the correlation between water relations and soil loss. The addition of porosity indicators increased the sensitivity of nutrient and rooting relations functions to yield and cone index, respectively, and resulted in a better correlation between porosity indicators and plant population. Computing soil quality indices helped to combine different soil properties and processes into a simple tool that explained changes in complex soil properties in response to different tillage practices. This supports previous studies suggesting that computing soil quality indices and functions could be useful for selecting management practices to maintain or improve soil quality. Our results demonstrated that adjusting threshold limits for local conditions can make the function ratings more or less sensitive to the management practices being evaluated.     

Effect of seasonality and agricultural practices on occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes and soil characteristics in La Rioja (Northern Spain)

The effects of seasonality and land management on entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) distribution and on soil characteristics were studied in natural areas and agricultural fields under organic and conventional management in La Rioja (Northern Spain). The population density of the native EPNs as well as air temperature, rainfall, soil fertility, soil moisture, and soil content of heavy metals were seasonally recorded over 2 consecutive years. The highest occurrence of EPNs was observed in autumn, followed by spring and summer. Agricultural management influenced the amount of soil organic matter, nutrients and heavy metals, as well as soil volumetric moisture and temperature, leading to statistical differences mainly between natural and agricultural sites, but also in some cases between different types of agricultural management. The usefulness of soil organic matter, C, N, P and K content, as well as the C/N, C/P and N/P ratios as indicators for differentiating conventional and organic crop management as well as the role of agricultural practices such as tillage and fertilizing is discussed.     

耕作方式对土壤螨类群落结构的影响

土壤螨类是土壤生态系统中重要的指示生物之一。为探讨耕作方式对土壤螨类数量、类群数、群落结构以及垂直分布的影响, 试验选取位于东北黑土区中国科学院海伦农田生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站中5种耕作方式(免耕耕作、少耕耕作、平翻耕作、组合耕作和旋耕耕作)试验区内土壤螨类为研究对象, 采用改良干漏斗(Modified Tullgren)法, 于2009年5月、6月和7月3个时期分离0~15 cm土层中的土壤螨类。结果表明: 耕作方式对土壤螨类数量和类群数存在显著影响, 3个时期共捕获土壤螨类2 441只, 免耕耕作、少耕耕作、组合耕作、旋耕耕作和平翻耕作分别捕获土壤螨类366只、436只、553只、819只和267只, 分别隶属于13科、18科、13科、14科和11科。传统的旋耕耕作具有最高的土壤螨类个体数量, 而保护性耕作中的少耕耕作具有最高的土壤螨类类群数。不同时期耕作方式对土壤螨类垂直分布的影响不同, 5月除免耕耕作外其他4种耕作方式均较好地保持了土壤螨类垂直分布的表聚特征, 即0~5 cm土层中土壤螨类的数量显著(P<0.05)高于其他两层(5~10 cm, 10~15 cm), 其中组合耕作和少耕耕作在3个时期中均较好地保持了土壤螨类的表聚特征, 且少耕耕作较好地保持了土壤螨类的多样性。MGP分析结果表明: 土壤甲螨群落随季节的变化在组成上发生变化, 从最初的高等甲螨为优势类群转化为低等甲螨为优势类群, 免耕和少耕的这种趋势较其他耕作方式更为明显, 少耕耕作3个时期土壤甲螨的组成类型分别为P型、G型和O型, 而免耕耕作3个时期土壤甲螨的组成类型分别为P型、O型和G型。少耕和免耕两种保护耕作方式较其他耕作方式更有利于土壤螨类群落结构的稳定性及多样性的保持, 有利于农田土壤生态环境的保护。     

Impact of perennial pasture and tillage systems on carbon input and soil quality indicators

Soil degradation associated with tillage is a major problem in Uruguayan agriculture. Either rotation of crops with pastures (ROT) or no-till (NT) cropping have been proposed as alternatives to minimize the impact of agriculture on soil quality. The combined impact on soil properties of ROT and NT has not been evaluated. In this study, we report results of the first 12 years of a long-term experiment established on a clay loam soil in western Uruguay. The objective was to determine the influence of conventional tillage (CT) and NT on systems under continuous cropping (CC, two crops per year) or ROT (3.5-year annual crops/2.5-year pastures). Soil samples taken at the beginning of the experiment in 1994 and in 2004 were analyzed for organic carbon (SOC), total organic carbon (TSOC) and total nitrogen content (STN), and for water-stable aggregation (WAS). Soil loss and erodibility indicators were studied using microrain simulator. With 12 years, the cumulative carbon (C) inputs of aboveground biomass were similar between tillage, but C input in CC was 50% higher than ROT. This difference was explained because 84% of the pastures dry matter was consumed by animals. Nevertheless we estimated a higher below ground biomass in ROT compared to CC systems (24.9 Mg ha⁻¹ vs. 10.9 Mg ha⁻¹). NT presented 7% higher SOC than CT (0–18 cm) with no differences between rotation systems. While all treatments declined in STN during 12 years, ROT had 11% and 58% higher STN and WAS than CC systems, with a large impact of the pasture under CT. Runoff and erosion were minimized under NT in both rotations systems. Thus, including pastures in the rotation, or switching from CT to NT improved soil quality properties. The expected benefit of combining NT and ROT will likely require more years for the cumulative effect to be detectable in both C input and soil properties.     

Community composition,diversity and metabolic footprints of soil nematodes in differently-aged temperate forests

Soil nematode communities can provide important information about soil food web structure and function. However, how soil nematode communities and their metabolic footprints change over time in temperate forests is not well known. We examined the changes in the composition, diversity and metabolic footprints of soil nematode communities in three differently-aged (young, mid and old) forests of the Changbai Mountains, China. Carbon flows through different nematode trophic groups were also quantified based on nematode biomasses. The results showed that the highest abundance and diversity of total nematodes was found in the mid forest. Nematode communities were characterized by the replenishment in abundance but not the replacement of dominant genera. A low enrichment footprint in the young forest suggests a decline in available prey, while a high enrichment footprint in the mid forest indicates an increase in resource entry into soil food web. The relationship between the carbon flows of omnivores-predators and fungivores was stronger than that among other trophic groups. Our study shows that bottom-up effects of the vegetation, the soil environment and the connectedness of nematode trophic groups are all important driving forces for nematode community structure in temperate forests.     

Predicting soil erosion in conservation tillage cotton production systems using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE)

Despite being one of the most profitable crops for the southeastern USA, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is considered to create a greater soil erosion hazard than other annual crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Reduced tillage systems and cover cropping can reduce soil erosion and leaching of nutrients into ground water. The objectives of this study, which was conducted in north Alabama from 1996 to 1998, were to assess the impact of no-till and mulch-till systems with a winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop and poultry litter on soil erosion estimates in cotton plots using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Soil erosion estimates in conventional till plots with or without a winter rye cover crop and ammonium nitrate fertilizer were double the 11 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ tolerance level for the Decatur series soils. However, using poultry litter as the N source (100 kg N ha⁻¹) gave soil erosion estimates about 50% below the tolerance level under conventional till. Doubling the N rate through poultry litter to 200 kg N ha⁻¹ under no-till system gave the lowest soil erosion estimate level. No-till and mulch-till gave erosion estimates which were about 50% of the tolerance level with or without cover cropping or N fertilization. This study shows that no-till and mulch-till systems with cover cropping and poultry litter can reduce soil erosion in addition to increasing cotton growth and lint yields, and thus improve sustainability of cotton soils in the southeastern USA.     

Experimental and simulated soil mineral N dynamics for long-term tillage systems in northern France

Soil N mineralization was quantified in two long-term experiments in northern France, in which no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) had been differentiated for 33 years (Site 1) and 12 years (Site 2). Both sites had the same soil type but differed in crop rotation. N mineralization kinetics were assessed in situ in bare soil in both systems for 254 days (Site 1) and 555 days (Site 2) by taking frequent measurements of water and nitrate contents from soil layers and using the LIXIM calculation model. The N mineralization potential was also determined in soil samples incubated under controlled laboratory conditions. Small or non-significant differences in water and nitrate contents between NT and CT were apparent within the soil profiles on both sites. Net mineralization did not differ significantly between sites or tillage treatments. The amount of N mineralized from August 2003 to April 2004 was 67 ± 10 kg N ha⁻¹ on Site 1 and 74 ± 5 kg N ha⁻¹ on Site 2, and 161 ± 6 kg N ha⁻¹ from August 2003 to February 2005 on Site 2. The kinetics of N mineralization versus normalized time (equivalent time at constant temperature of 15 °C and water content at field capacity) were linear during the shorter period (254 days corresponding to 120 normalized days). The slope (N mineralization rate) did not differ significantly between treatments and sites, and the average rate was 0.57 ± 0.05 kg N ha⁻¹ nd⁻¹. The kinetics were non-linear on Site 2 over the longer period (555 days corresponding to 350 normalized days). They could be fitted to an exponential model with a slope at the origin of 0.62 kg N ha⁻¹ nd⁻¹. The N mineralization kinetics obtained in laboratory incubations for 120–150 normalized days were also almost linear with no significant differences between treatments. Assuming that mineralization took place in the ploughed layer (in CT) or over the same soil mass (in NT) they were in good agreement with the kinetics determined in situ on both sites. The calculated water drainage below the sampled profile was slightly greater in NT due to lower evaporation. The calculated leached N was slightly higher in NT than CT on Site 1, but did not differ between treatments on Site 2. It is concluded that N mineralization and leaching in NT and CT were similar, despite large differences in N distribution within the soil profile and a slight difference in organic N stock.     

土壤线虫群落对过量施用农用化学品的响应

为研究施用过量的农用化学品对土壤线虫群落组成及多样性的影响,采用定点试验的方法,在哈尔滨市呼兰区选择典型农田生态系统进行试验,对比研究土壤线虫群落对施用过量的氮肥、磷肥、钾肥、除草剂及杀虫剂的响应。在试验田中共鉴定出土壤线虫27科45属,其中Cephalobus和Aphelenchus为优势属。施用不同浓度的各类农用化学品对土壤线虫群落组成、多样性均产生一定影响。线虫总数及食细菌线虫、食真菌线虫、植物寄生线虫数量在不同处理间均存在显著差异(P<0.05);其中,植物寄生线虫的相对丰度随化肥施用量的升高呈增加趋势。从土壤线虫的生态指数来看,除PPI(植物寄生线虫成熟指数)外,其他生态指数[MI(成熟度指数)、F/B(食真菌线虫与食细菌线虫数量比值)、Evenness(均匀度指数)、SR(丰富度指数)、H’(多样性指数)]在施用不同农用化学品处理之间也存在显著差异,并且,MI随着施用钾肥、氮肥浓度的增加而降低。土壤线虫可以作为揭示施用农用化学品过程中土壤质量变化的生物学指标,其群落及多样性的变化表明土壤线虫群落对农用化学品的过量施用产生了响应,过量施用农用化学品会增加土壤生态系统的干扰,对土壤环境造成威胁。     

长期保护性耕作对黄土高原旱地土壤肥力质量的影响

长期定位试验研究了黄土高原西部旱农区传统耕作措施和5种保护性耕作措施对豌豆-小麦(P→W)和小麦-豌豆(W→P)轮作序列的耕层土壤肥力质量的影响。结果表明,与传统耕作(T)处理相比,传统耕作秸秆还田(TS)和免耕秸秆覆盖(NTS)处理有机质含量分别提高11.61%～12.21%和12.13%～16.99%,全氮提高7.29%～8.42%和11.58%～12.95%,全磷提高10.35%～14.63%和13.79%～18.29%,全钾提高7.32%～7.51%和8.78%～9.15%,速效磷提高11.10%～12.41%和16.29%～20.99%,速效钾提高25.11%～43.26%和31.62%～44.22%,pH降低0.11～0.17个单位和0.09～0.16个单位。进一步利用加乘法则和加权综合法两种模型评价不同耕作方式下的土壤肥力质量,结果表明,土壤肥力质量指数排序为NTS处理TS处理NTP处理NT处理T处理TP处理(P→W轮作序列)和NTS处理TS处理NT处理NTP处理TP处理T处理(W→P轮作序列)。在黄土高原雨养农作系统中,实施免耕结合秸秆覆盖,对促进和维持土壤养分平衡,提高土壤肥力质量具有重要意义。     

Soil physical properties and wheat root growth as affected by no-tillage and conventional tillage systems in a Mediterranean environment of Chile

No-tillage systems affect soil properties depending on the soil, climate, and the time since its implementation. In heavy no-tilled soils a surface compacted layer is commonly found. Such layer can affect root growth and soil water infiltration. In several cases, surface organic carbon can buffer these problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 4- and 7-year-old conventional (CT) and no-tillage (NT) treatments on soil physical properties, root growth, and wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) yield in an Entic Haploxeroll of Central Chile. In both tillage treatments we study soil water retention, bulk density (ρ_b), soil particle density (ρ_s), soil water infiltration, mean-weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD), penetration resistance, grain yield, and root length density (L_v) up to a depth of 15 cm. The MWD and the penetration resistance were higher under NT as compared to CT. For the top 5 cm of soil, L_v was greater under NT as compared to CT. Differences of L_v between NT and CT were 2.09, 7.60, and 4.31 cm root cm⁻³ soil during the two leaves, flowering and grain filling phenological stages, respectively. Generally, the effect of NT on these properties was more evident near the soil surface. In contrast, fast drainage macropores, ρ_s, and soil water infiltration rates were higher under CT than under NT. Tillage treatments did not significantly affect ρ_b and yield. A longer time under no-tillage enhanced aggregate stability, however, other soil physical properties were negatively affected.     

Distribution of light and heavy fractions of soil organic carbon as related to land use and tillage practice

Mass distributions of different soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions are influenced by land use and management. Concentrations of C and N in light- and heavy fractions of bulk soils and aggregates in 0–20 cm were determined to evaluate the role of aggregation in SOC sequestration under conventional tillage (CT), no-till (NT), and forest treatments. Light- and heavy fractions of SOC were separated using 1.85 g mL⁻¹ sodium polytungstate solution. Soils under forest and NT preserved, respectively, 167% and 94% more light fraction than those under CT. The mass of light fraction decreased with an increase in soil depth, but significantly increased with an increase in aggregate size. C concentrations of light fraction in all aggregate classes were significantly higher under NT and forest than under CT. C concentrations in heavy fraction averaged 20, 10, and 8 g kg⁻¹ under forest, NT, and CT, respectively. Of the total SOC pool, heavy fraction C accounted for 76% in CT soils and 63% in forest and NT soils. These data suggest that there is a greater protection of SOC by aggregates in the light fraction of minimally disturbed soils than that of disturbed soil, and the SOC loss following conversion from forest to agriculture is attributed to reduction in C concentrations in both heavy and light fractions. In contrast, the SOC gain upon conversion from CT to NT is primarily attributed to an increase in C concentration in the light fraction.     

Effects of agricultural management systems on soil organic carbon in aggregates of Ustolls and Usterts

Soil erosion contributes to the removal and redistribution of soil organic C from cultivated fields. The soil organic C content of wind erodible and water unstable aggregates is an important factor in determining the amount of carbon loss occurring in erosion processes. The relative distribution of organic carbon among aggregate size fractions may also affect the response of soils to erosion. Soil organic C distribution is dependent on the chosen management system. The effects of no-till, till, and grassland management systems on organic C content of erodible and non-erodible aggregates were examined in six Ustolls and two Usterts of central South Dakota. Organic C contents were related to dry- and wet-sieving to represent the potential influence of wind and water erosion on C loss in the absence of vegetative cover. Loss of aggregate stability in cultivated soils was associated with organic C loss. Most structural characteristics developed under tilled systems persisted after 6–16 years of no-till. Changes in distribution of organic C due to management systems were most evident in Ustolls where cultivation resulted in net soil C losses. Soil organic C was not significantly increased by the no-tillage practices applied in this on-farm study (in Ustolls 49 Mg ha⁻¹ in no-till versus 41 Mg ha⁻¹ in till, for 0–0.20 m depth). Soil properties of Usterts were less affected by land use and management practices due to the high shrink swell action and self-mixing. In both soil orders the greater concentration of organic C in the wind erodible (<1 mm) dry aggregate size fraction implies a high potential for organic C loss by erosion in addition to organic C loss from mineralization after tillage. Grassland when compared to cultivated topsoil showed the largest amounts of organic carbon stored and the minimal potential for erosion loss of soil organic C.     

Variations in microbial community composition through two soil depth profiles

Soil profiles are often many meters deep, but with the majority of studies in soil microbiology focusing exclusively on the soil surface, we know very little about the nature of the microbial communities inhabiting the deeper soil horizons. We used phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis to examine the vertical distribution of specific microbial groups and to identify the patterns of microbial abundance and community-level diversity within the soil profile. Samples were collected from the soil surface down to 2 m in depth from two unsaturated Mollisol profiles located near Santa Barbara, CA, USA. While the densities of microorganisms were generally one to two orders of magnitude lower in the deeper horizons of both profiles than at the soil surface, approximately 35% of the total quantity of microbial biomass found in the top 2 m of soil is found below a depth of 25 cm. Principal components analysis of the PLFA signatures indicates that the composition of the soil microbial communities changes significantly with soil depth. The differentiation of microbial communities within the two profiles coincides with an overall decline in microbial diversity. The number of individual PLFAs detected in soil samples decreased by about a third from the soil surface down to 2 m. The ratios of cyclopropyl/monoenoic precursors and total saturated/total monounsaturated fatty acids increased with soil depth, suggesting that the microbes inhabiting the deeper soil horizons are more carbon limited than surface-dwelling microbes. Using PLFAs as biomarkers, we show that Gram-positive bacteria and actinomycetes tended to increase in proportional abundance with increasing soil depth, while the abundances of Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and protozoa were highest at the soil surface and substantially lower in the subsurface. The vertical distribution of these specific microbial groups can largely be attributed to the decline in carbon availability with soil depth.     

Functional shifts of grassland soil communities in response to soil warming

In terrestrial ecosystems most carbon (C) occurs below-ground, making the activity of soil decomposer organisms critical to the global carbon cycle. Temperate grassland ecosystems, contain large, diverse and active soil meso- and macrofauna decomposer communities. Understanding the effects of climate change on their ecology offers a first step towards meaningful predictions of changes in soil organic carbon mineralisation.We examined the effects of soil warming on the abundance, diversity and ecology of temperate grassland soil fauna functional groups, ecosystem net CO₂ flux and respiration and plant above- and below-ground productivity in a 2-year plant-soil mesocosm experiment. Low voltage heating cable mounted on a framework of stainless steel mesh provided a constant 3.5 °C difference between control and warmed mesocosm soils.Results showed that this temperature increment had little effect on soil respiration and above-ground plant biomass. There was, however, a significant effect on the soil fauna due to warmer conditions and increased root growth, with significant decreases in the numbers in the large oligochaete groups and Prostigmata mites and the re-distribution of enchytraeids to deeper soil layers. Functional groups exhibited individualistic responses to soil warming, with the total disappearance of epigeic species in the case of the ecosystem engineers and an increased diversity of fungivorous mites that, together, produced significant changes in the composition and trophic structure of the fauna community.The observed switch towards a fungal driven food web has important implications for the fate of soil organic carbon in temperate ecosystems subjected to sustained warming. Accordingly, soil biology needs to be properly incorporated in C models to make better predictions of the fate of SOC under warmer scenarios.     

农田土壤螨群落变化与环境因素关系的研究

对中国农业大学实验站农田土壤螨群落变化与环境因素的关系研究结果表明，土壤螨种类与数量随土壤养分的增加而增加，随土壤容重和pH值的增大而减少；长期施用EM堆肥，土壤孔隙多，通气性好，土壤耕层增厚，有机质含量提高，土壤螨种类与数量最多。     

Specific response of fungal and bacterial residues to one-season tillage and repeated slurry application in a permanent grassland soil

The dynamics of fungal and bacterial residues to a one-season tillage event in combination with manure application in a grassland soil are unknown. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the effects of one-season tillage event in two field trials on the stocks of microbial biomass, fungal biomass, microbial residues, soil organic C (SOC) and total N in comparison with permanent grassland; (2) to determine the effects of repeated manure application to restore negative tillage effects on soil microbial biomass and residues. One trial was started 2 years before sampling and the other 5 years before sampling. Mouldboard ploughing decreased the stocks of SOC, total N, microbial biomass C, and microbial residues (muramic acid and glucosamine), but increased those of the fungal biomarker ergosterol in both trials. Slurry application increased stocks of SOC and total N only in the short-term, whereas the stocks of microbial biomass C, ergosterol and microbial residues were generally increased in both trials, especially in combination with tillage. The ergosterol to microbial biomass C ratio was increased by tillage, and decreased by slurry application in both trials. The fungal C to bacterial C ratio was generally decreased by these two treatments. The metabolic quotient qCO₂ showed a significant negative linear relationship with the microbial biomass C to SOC ratio and a significant positive relationship with the soil C/N ratio. The ergosterol to microbial biomass C ratio revealed a significant positive linear relationship with the fungal C to bacterial C ratio, but a negative one with the SOC content. Our results suggest that slurry application in grassland soil may promote SOC storage without increasing the role of saprotrophic fungi in soil organic matter dynamics relative to that of bacteria.     

Stratification of soil aggregation and organic matter under conservation tillage systems in Africa

Soil degradation due to tillage has been reported Africa-wide. Other main causes of soil degradation are overgrazing, extensive cultivation of marginal lands, widespread clearing of vegetation for agriculture, deforestation, exploitation of unsuitable agricultural technologies, mis-management of arable lands, and frequent drought. Hence, declining soil fertility and increasing population pressure on lands are fragile bases on which to build expectations for improved crop production. This paper recognizes conservation tillage systems as one means for preventing food shortages and natural resources degradation throughout the continent. Conservation tillage has the potential for increasing soil organic matter content and enhancing soil aggregation. Conservation tillage systems can create an aggregated, fertile surface layer that is important from a soil erosion reduction perspective and thus for a sustainable agriculture in Africa. Some indigenous tillage systems in Africa can be adapted to meet objectives of conservation tillage systems. Further, recent technological developments in tillage and seeding machinery will certainly enhance the rate of farmer’s acceptance and adoption of conservation tillage.     

Vertical distribution of soil mites (Acari) in conventional and no-tillage agricultural systems

Summary Soil mite abundance was measured at four depths (0–5, 6.5–11.5, 13–18, and 19.5–24.5 cm) in agricultural plots under no-tillage or conventional tillage in Clarke County, Georgia, USA. The vertical distribution of mites was not significantly different between the two tillage systems: Most mites were found in the top 0–5 cm zone. This was the zone where greater moisture content occurred, and (in other studies) was the zone of maximum root biomass and microbial activity. Among mite suborders, only the Prostigmata were found in any abundance below 5 cm. Mite populations declined dramatically on occasions when the soil moisture exceeded field capacity, but did not appear to migrate vertically.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. W. Kühnelt     

长期施用有机肥对红壤旱地土壤线虫群落的影响

基于红壤旱地(玉米)的长期施肥试验,研究长期施用有机肥对土壤线虫分布特征及群落结构的影响。田间试验处理包括:CK(对照)、ON1(低量有机肥)、ON2(高量有机肥)和ON2L(高量改良有机肥)。结果表明,施肥8a后,红壤旱地中共鉴定出15科、29属土壤线虫,包括8属植物寄生线虫、9属食细菌线虫、3属食真菌性线虫和9属捕食杂食性线虫,短体属(Pratylenchus)、小杆属(Rhabditis)和原杆属(Pro-torhabditis)为优势属。不同施肥处理中,土壤线虫总数的大小顺序为ON2>ON1>ON2L>CK。线虫群落生态指数对于施用有机肥有不同的响应:除SI外,其他虫群落生态指数均有显著差异,通过线虫群落结构的变化很好地反映了土壤的肥力变化状况,土壤线虫可以作为施有机肥过程中指示土壤健康质量的一个重要的生物学指标。