Short-Term Effects of Conversion to Direct Seeding Mulch-Based Cropping Systems on Macro-Fauna and Weed Dynamics

Abstract

Agroecosystem biodiversity could provide essential services such as pest control. One approach currently used to promote ecosystem services in agricultural systems is to reduce tillage and increase plant diversity. In this study, we assessed the short-term effects of conversion from reduced tillage (RT) to direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems (DMC) on the dynamics of arthropods (detritivores and predators), and major pests (slugs and weeds). The study was conducted in two commercial fields: one cropped with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and one with maize (Zea mays L.). We found that both beneficial and detrimental groups monitored were more abundant in DMC than in RT treatment and that the dominant species differed between treatments. Because of their major role in agroecosystems by contributing to the control of weed seeds, insects, and slugs, carabid beetles (Carabidae) were investigated in greater detail, and the results showed their diversity was also higher in DMC than in RT. The dominant species found were Poecillus cupreus and Pseudofonus rufipes in the maize and sorghum fields, respectively. The increase in biological control agents shortly after conversion suggested that cover crops should be considered as a pest management tool, even on a short-term scale.

Keywords

Adoption; biological control; conservation agriculture; ecosystem services; maize; sorghum

Published in

Journal of Crop Improvement
2016, volume: 30, number: 1, pages: 65-83
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

SLU Authors

• Riggi, Laura

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2015.1113222

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/105486