Effects of a mulch layer on the assemblage and abundance of mesostigmatan mites and other arthropods in the soil of a sugarcane agro-ecosystem in Australia
File version
Author(s)
Wallace, HM
Weaver, HJ
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
Sugarcane farmers can utilise a soil conservation technique called green cane trash blanketing, a form of mulching that can increase plant productivity through a number of channels, e.g., via altering soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics, and influence soil arthropod assemblages. Predatory mites (Mesostigmata) are important components of soil communities because they can control populations of other soil-dwelling pest species. Our aim was to characterise mulch-influenced predatory Mesostigmata community assemblages in sugarcane soils in Queensland, Australia. We found that application of a mulch layer significantly increased the abundance of Mesostigmata, and oribatid mites and collembolans, in soils. Furthermore, we observed that the assemblages of Mesostigmata in soil covered by mulch were significantly different to those in bare soil; and the assemblages of Mesostigmata changed over time. The assemblages of Mesostigmata, but not Oribatida or collembolans, were significantly different in soil under mulch depending on whether the mulch was freshly laid, or decomposing. Our results show that the use of mulch, specifically the green cane trash blanket, can increase overall microarthropod abundance including Mesostigmata. This is likely due to increased habitat complexity and changing resource availability.
Journal Title
Experimental and Applied Acarology
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
74
Issue
3
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Ecology
Field organic and low chemical input horticulture
Zoology
Acari
Biodiversity
Mesostigmata
Mulch
Soil
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Manwaring, M; Wallace, HM; Weaver, HJ, Effects of a mulch layer on the assemblage and abundance of mesostigmatan mites and other arthropods in the soil of a sugarcane agro-ecosystem in Australia, Experimental and Applied Acarology, 2018, 74 (3), pp. 291-300