Characterization of edaphic fauna in management systems for forage production in the State of Piauí

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of fauna as a function of soil moisture in different fodder-production management systems of Tifton 85 grass (Cynodon dactylon Pers. x C. niemfuensis Vanderys), Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia), Andropogon Grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth) and Leucena plants (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) R. de Wit.), with a coca-crop forest used as control. Sampling of the fauna was accomplished using “pitfall” traps in two periods of the year: September 2007 and March 2008, the dry and wet seasons respectively. Those systems with Tifton grass, Tanzania grass and Leucaena plants showed a higher number of individuals in both periods. The fire which occurred in the Andropogon grass before the first harvest resulted in a reduction in the amount and diversity of the soil fauna. The highest values for wealth, diversity and uniformity of fauna, were obtained from samples collected during the wet season. The forest presented a greater diversity and balance for both periods assessed. In a situation of water-stress, some groups, such as Collembola and Formicidae, predominated in the management systems, decreasing uniformity, while in the wet season, several groups were well represented, favouring uniformity. Principal-component multivariate analysis showed that systems of forest, Tifton grass, Tanzania grass and Leucaena plants were associated with several groups of soil fauna in the two periods evaluated, while the system of Andropogon grass, which suffered a fire, showed an affinity only with the Hepteroptera group during the dry season.