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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #337336
Title: Microarthropods as bioindicators of soil health following land application of swine slurry

Author
item SCHUSTER, NICOLE - University Of Nebraska
item SCHMIDT, AMY - University Of Nebraska
item SCHOTT, LINDA - University Of Nebraska
item PETERSON, JULIE - University Of Nebraska
item Gilley, John
item ESKRIDGE, KENT - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Agricultural Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/23/2019
Publication Date: 2/26/2019
Citation: Schuster, N.R., Schmidt, A.M., Schott, L.R., Peterson, J.A., Gilley, J.E., Eskridge, K.M. 2019. Microarthropods as bioindicators of soil health following land application of swine slurry. Agricultural Sciences. 10:150-163. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2019.102013.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2019.102013

Interpretive Summary: Soil microarthropod abundance and diversity provide an indication of the biological quality of soil which can impact soil health. Arthropods in the soil environment play an important role in nutrient cycling and maintenance of soil structure. In particular, mites (Acari) and springtails (Collembola) can have a significant impact on nutrient release in soil and serve an important role as a link in the soil food web, acting as both predator and prey. The land application of organic fertilizer such as swine slurry can provide the nutrients necessary for successful crop production. However, this process may also impact the soil microarthropod community that is essential for nutrient cycling. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of swine manure application method and time following slurry addition on soil arthropod abundance and diversity. Experimental treatments included slurry application technique (broadcast and injection) and non-manured control plots. Plots were monitored for arthropod abundance and diversity for a period of one year following manure application in June 2014. Microarthropods were extracted, identified and counted. Collembola (Hypogastruridae and Isotomidae) populations were significantly greater in the broadcast plots than the injection or control plots. Acari populations were not significantly impacted by manure application. Pseudoscorpiones were significantly more abundant in the injection treatment compared to the broadcast and control plots. The utilization of swine slurry as a fertilizer source is beneficial to soil health, but requires consideration of application method and time following slurry application in order to select for the soil microarthropods most beneficial to soil health.

Technical Abstract: Soil arthropod abundance and diversity provide an indication of the biological quality of soil which can impact soil health. Arthropods in the soil environment play an important role in nutrient cycling and maintenance of soil structure. In particular, mites (Acari) and springtails (Collembola) can have a significant impact on nutrient release in soil and serve an important role as a trophic link in the soil food web, acting as both predator and prey. The land application of organic fertilizer such as swine slurry can provide the nutrients necessary for successful crop production. However, this process may also impact the soil microarthropod community that is essential for nutrient cycling. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of swine manure application method and time following slurry addition on soil arthropod abundance and diversity. Experimental treatments included slurry application technique (broadcast and injection) and non-manured control plots. There were four replications of each of the experimental treatments. Plots were monitored for arthropod abundance and diversity and soil chemical properties for a period of one year following manure application in June 2014.Microarthropods were extracted using Berlese funnels, then identified and counted. The QBS index (Qualità Biologica del Suolo) was calculated for each soil sample. Collembola (Hypogastruridae and Isotomidae) populations were significantly greater in the broadcast plots than the injection or control plots. Acari populations were not significantly impacted by manure application. Pseudoscorpiones were significantly more abundant in the injection treatment compared to the broadcast and control plots. Manure application did not impact the QBS. The utilization of swine slurry as a fertilizer source is beneficial to soil health, but requires consideration of application method and time following slurry application in order to select for the soil microarthropods most beneficial to soil health.