Abundance and Diversity of Soil Arthropods in Major Plantation Crops under Different Farming Practices

Abstract

Soil arthropods play a vital role in soil systems, through decomposition, nutrient cycling and regulation of microbial communities. The study examining effects of farming practices (Natural farming, Organic farming and Inorganic farming) on abundance and diversity of soil arthropods in major plantation crops (Arecanut, Coconut, Coffee) was conducted under different zones Hilly, Central Dry and Transition zone of Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka from August 2023 to May 2024. Soil arthropods belonging to 12 different order were collected under 5 classes viz., Entognatha, Arachnida, Insecta, Symphlan and Chilopoda. The highest numbers of individuals was observed in natural farming practice (1256) followed by organic farming (825) and least in inorganic farming (397). The highest number of soil arthropods was recorded in natural farming practice (31.90 individuals per 400g of soil) within the coconut ecosystem followed by organic farming practice 12.39 and lowest in inorganic farming practices with 5.39 individuals per 400g of soil in arecanut and coffee ecosystem respectively. Shannon Weiner index shows highest diversity in natural farming system 2.13. Whereas, the lowest diversity was recorded in inorganic farming practices (Shannon-Wiener: 0.69). The abundance and diversity showed a significant difference between different farming practices i.e. natural, organic and inorganic farming practices in different zones. Natural farming practices followed by organic farming supported higher diversity indices and abundance of soil fauna compared to inorganic farming practices.