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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

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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.

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Acknowledgements

This research did not receive any specific grant funding from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. We would like to thank Dr David Walter for his advice and assistance in identifying Mesostigmata, Dr Graham Stirling for his advice on nematodes and sugarcane farming systems, and Dr Philip Barton for useful discussions and advice on data analysis. We would also like to thank the owners and operators of the sugarcane plantations used in this study: Mr Alan Otto, Mr Elton Peterson, Mr Gary Peterson and Mr Troy Apps.

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  1. H. J. Weaver

    Present address: Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Energy, GPO Box 787, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia

    M. Manwaring & H. M. Wallace

  2. School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia

    H. J. Weaver

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  1. M. Manwaring
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Manwaring, M., Wallace, H.M. & Weaver, H.J. 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. Exp Appl Acarol 74, 291–300 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-018-0227-1

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