Impact of long-term soil management on epigeic soil fauna and soil properties of an Inceptisol with high organic matter

Abstract

Agricultural yield depends on a series of ecosystem services provided by soil biota, among other factors. Soil management systems that are more sustainable than conventional tillage mitigate harmful effects to soil, improving the structure and function of the soil biota and facilitating ecosystem services. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of soil management practices on epigeic soil fauna and soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties. The experimental design was completely randomized, with the following treatments: NT-no-tillage; RT-rotation tillage; MT-minimum tillage; BS-bare soil; CT-conventional tillage; NG-native grassland, in Inceptisol. The BS treatment produced the lowest soil fauna abundance and richness, indicating that the lack of cultivation combined with intense soil disturbance creates a critical environment for soil fauna. The greatest abundance and richness were observed under RT, and the highest diversity was in the NG treatment. Different soil management practices and their intensity influenced epigeic soil fauna diversity. Differences between groups of organisms were related to soil physical and chemical properties (organic carbon; macropores; aeration pores; hydrogen potential (pHSMP); exchangeable aluminum) resulting from different management practices. The present study demonstrated the contribution of soil fauna as a bioindicator of soil quality.