Biochar effect on soil invertebrates: preliminary results

Main Article Content

Heyker L. Baños Díaz
Lázaro Cuellar Yanes
Reinaldo Chico Morejón
Mayra G. Rodríguez

Abstract



The soil mesofauna comprises a group of arthropods, whose body size ranges from 0.2 to 2.0 mm, and which are important in transforming soil organic matter, recycling nutrients, and improving physical properties of the ground. Within the faunal groups that inhabit the soil, oribatid mites and springtails stand out because of their number, diversity, abundance of species and activity; great aptitude for speciation, short life cycle and little dispersion of species adapted to edaphic life and to different types of soils. Due to these characteristics, these organisms are used as biogeographic-ecological indicators and indicators of the soil quality and health. The use of biochar (Biocarbón in Spanish), as a soil amendment, to improve fertility and mitigate climate change is becoming a common practice. Rice husk biochar was used in three concentrations. Four tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicun L.) cultivar L43 were placed in each experimental unit. A composite sample of each treatment was taken weekly and placed in Berlese-Tullgren funnels for seven days. Subsequently, the collected samples were examined under the stereomicroscope and the individuals were separated by morphospecies for their subsequent slide mounting and identification. Arthropods belonging to the groups Insecta (Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera), Acari, and Collembola were identified. An increase in the number of Collembola was observed in the treatment with 75% Biochar (rice husk) after 28 days. In the case of mites, the most represented orders were Oribatida (Cryptostigmata), Prostigmata, and Mesostigmata, with an increase in their populations in the containers with 25% Biochar after 28 days. A positive influence of biochar on soil arthropods was demonstrated, expressed by the increase in the number of springtails and soil mites with respect to the control, with an outstanding recovery of soil biological activity in the short term.



Article Details

How to Cite
Baños Díaz, H. L. ., Cuellar Yanes, L., Chico Morejón, R. ., & Rodríguez, M. G. (2023). Biochar effect on soil invertebrates: preliminary results. Revista De Protección Vegetal, 38, https://cu-id.com/2247/v38e14. Retrieved from https://revistas.censa.edu.cu/index.php/RPV/article/view/1310
Section
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

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