Rakotomanga D., Blanchart Eric, Rabary B., Randriamanantsoa R., Razafindrakoto M., Autfray P. (2016). Crop management and soil macrofauna diversity in the Highlands of Madagascar. Biotechnologie Agronomie Société et Environnement, 20 (4), p. 495-507. ISSN 1370-6233.
Titre du document
Crop management and soil macrofauna diversity in the Highlands of Madagascar
Rakotomanga D., Blanchart Eric, Rabary B., Randriamanantsoa R., Razafindrakoto M., Autfray P.
Source
Biotechnologie Agronomie Société et Environnement, 2016,
20 (4), p. 495-507 ISSN 1370-6233
Description of the subject. This article deals with soil macrofauna as a key component of soil biological functioning. Objectives. This original study, performed in 2015, aimed to compare the effect of contrasted land uses and cultural practices on soil macrofauna in a crop-livestock area in the Madagascar Highlands. Five cropping systems were investigated: annual crops under tillage with low (LAMF) and high (LAEF) manure inputs, permanent tilled forage crops with high manure inputs (CFEF), crops under conservation agriculture without tillage or permanent mulch cover and with medium manure inputs (ACMF), and permanent pastures without tillage and without manure (PP0F). Method. In each of these five cropping systems, soil macrofauna was sampled in 12 plots from experimental trials and smallholder farms at the end of the rainy season. In each plot, soil macrofauna was hand-sorted from five soil monoliths at a 0-30 cm depth. Results. Fifty-two species were identified and organized into 15 orders and six functional groups. In the annual cropping systems (ACMF), the absence of tillage and the presence of a permanent soil cover increased soil macrofauna diversity and density without reducing harmful white grubs (Scarabeoid beetle larvae), while earthworm density was reduced in comparison with the CFEF system. In conventional tillage cropping systems, manure input intensity (LAMF versus LAEF) had no specific effects on white grubs or earthworms. Conclusions. This study on soil macrofauna in the Highlands of Madagascar helped to establish which agricultural practices and farming systems are favourable to beneficial soil invertebrates such as earthworms, and unfavourable to harmful insects such as white grubs. This will help farmers to achieve a more sustainable crop management.
Plan de classement
Biologie du sol [074]
;
Sciences du monde végétal [076]
