Author
|
Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2004 Publication Date: 11/4/2004 Citation: Lachnicht Weyers, S.L., Schomberg, H.H., Tillman, P.G. 2004. Soil microarthropod community change under conservation management practices [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts, October 31-November 4, 2004, Madison, Wisconsin. 2004 CDROM. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Winter cover cropping and strip tillage in cotton production systems of South Georgia were implemented to determine effects on soil quality and long-term sustainability. A comparison of two winter cover crops (rye and a rye + legume blend) was made. The effect of the new management practice on the dynamics of soil microarthropods was evaluated as one of the indicators of change in soil quality. Microarthropod community dynamics (abundance and diversity) were assessed in the first two years of implementation at pre-, mid- and post- cotton growing season. The most abundant microarthropods fell into three suborders of Acari (Prostigmata, Oribatida and Mesostigmata) and the insect order Collembola. Uncommon organisms such as beetles, fly larvae and astigmatid mites were noted. In the first year after implementation of the new management practice, microarthropod abundances varied seasonally and Prostigmata dominated the community under both cover crops across all seasons. Differences between the two cover crops were not consistent across seasons. In the second year, abundances increased and complexity of the community (co-domination of two or more groups) was developing. |
