Edaphic Macrofauna in Areas Cultivated with Irrigated Brassica Under No-Tillage System

Abstract

Objective: Quantify and qualify the soil macrofauna present in areas cultivated with brassicas under the No-till system vegetable (NTSV) in different phases.   Method/design/approach: The study was conducted in three different areas: 1-NTSV with one year (NTSV1), 2-NTSV with three years (NTSV3), 3-Native Forest (In natural regeneration for 20 years (NF20)); At depths: 0-10; 10-20 and 20-30 cm, with 5 repetitions. Litter was collected in an area of 0.50x0.50 cm and soil samples were collected with an iron square measuring 25x25x30 cm in each plot, where the number of individuals (ind m-2) was quantified and the total richness and diversity and equitability indexes of the macrofauna were qualified.   Result and conclusion: The management in areas NTSV1, NTSV3 and NF20 favored the development of the population of the Formicidae and Isoptera groups; The NTSV3 area at a depth of 20 to 30 cm provided the best conditions for the highest relative frequency of the Oligochaeta group.   Research implications: The assessment of vertical distribution favored a broader knowledge of the macrofauna community in the systems; The adoption time of the one- or three-cycle no-tillage system did not affect the density and diversity of macrofauna.   Originality/value: Most studies soil macrofauna have been carried out in areas under conventional or no-tillage of grains or in forests, few studies are carried out in areas with irrigated vegetables, where processes involving organic matter reach be three times faster, where the diversity of this macrofauna is higher and needs to be evaluated.