Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna

Effects of application of five types of plant residues [Acioa barteri, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala prunings, maize (Zea mays) stover and rice (Oryza sativa) straw] as mulch on soil fauna were examined under field conditions in the humid tropics in 1990 and 1991. Earthworm mean popula...

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Main Authors: Tian, G., Brussaard, Lijbert, Kang, B.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 1993
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/97356
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author Tian, G.
Brussaard, Lijbert
Kang, B.
author_browse Brussaard, Lijbert
Kang, B.
Tian, G.
author_facet Tian, G.
Brussaard, Lijbert
Kang, B.
author_sort Tian, G.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Effects of application of five types of plant residues [Acioa barteri, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala prunings, maize (Zea mays) stover and rice (Oryza sativa) straw] as mulch on soil fauna were examined under field conditions in the humid tropics in 1990 and 1991. Earthworm mean population over 2 years was higher under any type of plant residues by 41% compared to control. Leucaena prunings supported the highest earthworm population. Mulched plots also showed 177% higher mean termite population over 2 years than control. Highest termite population was observed in plots mulched with Acioa prunings followed by maize stover > rice straw >Leucaena prunings >Gliricidia prunings. The mean ant populations were 36% higher with Leucaena and Gliricidia prunings, and were not affected by Acioa prunings, maize stover and rice straw as compared to control. Millipede populations were not significantly affected by mulching. Earthworm populations were negatively correlated with the ratio of lignin : N of plant residues. Ant populations were significantly related to the N content of plant residues (R2 = 0.87 and 0.84 for 1990 and 1991 respectively). The results imply that chemical plant composition, particularly N and lignin contents, play a critical role in faunal abundance in the soil through their effect on palatability and decomposibility. Indirect microclimatic and mulching effects may also be important.
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spelling CGSpace973562025-11-11T10:10:49Z Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna Tian, G. Brussaard, Lijbert Kang, B. population soil fauna decomposition nutrients Effects of application of five types of plant residues [Acioa barteri, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala prunings, maize (Zea mays) stover and rice (Oryza sativa) straw] as mulch on soil fauna were examined under field conditions in the humid tropics in 1990 and 1991. Earthworm mean population over 2 years was higher under any type of plant residues by 41% compared to control. Leucaena prunings supported the highest earthworm population. Mulched plots also showed 177% higher mean termite population over 2 years than control. Highest termite population was observed in plots mulched with Acioa prunings followed by maize stover > rice straw >Leucaena prunings >Gliricidia prunings. The mean ant populations were 36% higher with Leucaena and Gliricidia prunings, and were not affected by Acioa prunings, maize stover and rice straw as compared to control. Millipede populations were not significantly affected by mulching. Earthworm populations were negatively correlated with the ratio of lignin : N of plant residues. Ant populations were significantly related to the N content of plant residues (R2 = 0.87 and 0.84 for 1990 and 1991 respectively). The results imply that chemical plant composition, particularly N and lignin contents, play a critical role in faunal abundance in the soil through their effect on palatability and decomposibility. Indirect microclimatic and mulching effects may also be important. 1993-06 2018-09-14T07:37:40Z 2018-09-14T07:37:40Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/97356 en Limited Access application/pdf Elsevier Tian, G., Brussaard, L. & Kang, B. (1993). Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 25(6), 731-737.
spellingShingle population
soil fauna
decomposition
nutrients
Tian, G.
Brussaard, Lijbert
Kang, B.
Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna
title Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna
title_full Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna
title_fullStr Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna
title_full_unstemmed Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna
title_short Biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions: effects on soil fauna
title_sort biological effects of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions effects on soil fauna
topic population
soil fauna
decomposition
nutrients
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/97356
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AT kangb biologicaleffectsofplantresidueswithcontrastingchemicalcompositionsunderhumidtropicalconditionseffectsonsoilfauna