Author(s)

Nicole R. Schuster¹, Julie A. Peterson², John E. Gilley³, Linda R. Schott¹, Amy M. Schmidt^1,4*

¹Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
²Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, North Platte, NE, USA.
³USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NE, USA.
⁴Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.

Soil arthropods play an important role in nutrient cycling and maintenance of soil structure, and their abundance and diversity provide an indication of the biological quality of soil. Land application of livestock manure provides crop nutrients and may also impact the soil arthropod community. This study was conducted to quantify soil arthropod abundance and diversity for a period of one year following swine manure application via broadcast or injection. Arthropods were extracted from plot soil samples using Berlese funnels, identified and counted, and the QBS index (Qualità Biologica del Suolo) was calculated for each soil sample. Collembola (Hypogastruridae and Isotomidae) populations were greater (p < 0.05) in the broadcast plots than the injection or control plots. Pseudoscorpiones were more abundant (p < 0.05) in the injection treatment compared to the broadcast and control treatments. Acari populations and the QBS index were not significantly impacted by manure application.

Soil, Arthropod, Manure, Nutrients, Swine Slurry, Soil Health, Soil Properties

Schuster, N. , Peterson, J. , Gilley, J. , Schott, L. and Schmidt, A. (2019) Soil Arthropod Abundance and Diversity Following Land Application of Swine Slurry. Agricultural Sciences, 10, 150-163. doi: 10.4236/as.2019.102013.