Abstract

LANG-OVALLE, Fritz Paul et al. Edafic Macrofauna Associated with Mango and Sugar Cane Plantations. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2011, vol.29, n.2, pp.169-177. ISSN 2395-8030.

This study describes the structure of soil fauna communities associated with mango and sugar cane (recent and persistent) agroecosystems in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. Non destructive samplings were made through counting by direct observation. The parameters measured were: abundance and diversity of invertebrates (Simpson’s and Shannon Diversity index) and physic and chemicals characteristics of soil. The greater frequency of invertebrates appeared in mango (40%) and persistent cane (37%) and was smaller in recent cane (24%). A positive correlation between richness of invertebrates with organic matter of horizon A was found (r = 0.60, P ≥ 0,031). No statistical difference was found among diversity and abundance of ants and annelids due to the tolerance of edafic macrofauna to the agronomic management of sugar cane plantation. It can be concluded that the type of agroecosystem (mango or sugar cane) did not have significant effect in the incidence and abundance of soil fauna, specially earthworms, thermites and miriapodos. In addition, earthworms in mango plantation constitute the main reference of soil quality, also explained by contents of organic matter (3.98%).

Keywords : soil quality; bioindicators; soil fauna; agroecosystems.