INTERCROPPING EFFICIENCY AND ITS EFFECTS ON SOIL FAUNA POPULATIONS IN EGYPT

Document Type : Original Research Papers

Authors

1 Plant Protection Research Institute. Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

2 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

Abstract

Intercropping of non-legume plant with a legume crop is proving a successful system for better use of nutrients by plants, particularly in nitrogen deficient soils. Such a system may affect soil fauna activity. The present experiment was conducted at Fayoum Governorate (Egypt) in order to study the impact of wheat intercropped with faba bean on soil fauna populations. Cultivation period was between November 2010 and April 2011. Five treatments were designed: (1) wheat alone, (2) faba bean alone, (3) wheat intercropped with faba bean (1:1), (4) wheat intercropped with faba bean (2:1), and (5) wheat intercropped with faba bean (1:2). Soil fauna were collected monthly during the cultivation period by means of the pitfall trap method. Data of soil fauna populations were statistically treated by advanced multivariate statistical methods, correspondence analysis and ascending hierarchic classification. Soil fauna were dominated by Collembola, spiders, Diptera, Aphididae, Formicidae, Orthoptera and Coleoptera. Generally, intercropping increased soil fauna populations. This increase was associated with wheat intercropped with more rows of faba bean. These populations were also increased as the age of plants increased. The percentages of trophic groups including: herbivores, carnivores and detritivores were also discussed. 

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