THE EFFECT OF CATTLE LIQUID MANURE FERTILIZATION ON THE SOIL MITES (ACARI) OF PERMANENT MEADOW IN POLAND

The effect of different doses of cattle liquid manure, with or without the VIT-TRA agent, on the mites of permanent meadow, with species analysis of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) was investigated. Samples were taken from 13 plots, fertilized with cattle liquid manure in doses 40, 60 and 80 m3· ha-1 and VIT-TRA agent. The dose 40 m3· ha-1 increased the abundance of mites, comparing to the control plot, while doses 60 and 80 m3· ha-1 decreased it. The fungicidal agent, with medium and high dose of fertilizer, signifi cantly decreased the density of Oribatida, Gamasida and Actinedida in relation to small dose of fertilizer with this agent. The mites reacted in a similar way to the bactericidal agent, but acting of virocidal agent was indistinct. The Oribatida dominated among the mites, while the Actinedida and Gamasida were less abundant. Among the Oribatida the most abundant were: Parachipteria bella, Liebstadia humerata, Achipteria coleoptrata and Scheloribates laevigatus. The Oribatida preferred the lower part of grasses, and their density distinctly decreased with the soil depth

WPŁYW NAWOŻENIA GNOJOWICĄ BYDLĘCĄ NA ROZTOCZE GLEBOWE (ACARI) ŁĄKI TRWAŁEJ W POLSCE

The effect of different doses of cattle liquid manure, with or without the VIT-TRA agent, on the mites of permanent meadow, with species analysis of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) was investigated. Samples were taken from 13 plots, fertilized with cattle liquid manure in doses 40, 60 and 80 m3· ha-1 and VIT-TRA agent. The dose 40 m3· ha-1 increased the abundance of mites, comparing to the control plot, while doses 60 and 80 m3· ha-1 decreased it. The fungicidal agent, with medium and high dose of fertilizer, signifi cantly decreased the density of Oribatida, Gamasida and Actinedida in relation to small dose of fertilizer with this agent. The mites reacted in a similar way to the bactericidal agent, but acting of virocidal agent was indistinct. The Oribatida dominated among the mites, while the Actinedida and Gamasida were less abundant. Among the Oribatida the most abundant were: Parachipteria bella, Liebstadia humerata, Achipteria coleoptrata and Scheloribates laevigatus. The Oribatida preferred the lower part of grasses, and their density distinctly decreased with the soil depth.Zbadano wpływ nawożenia gnojowicą bydlęcą, z oraz bez dodatku środka VIT-TRA, na roztocze glebowe łąki trwałej, z gatunkową analizą mechowców (Acari, Oribatida). Próby do badań pobrano z 13 poletek doświadczalnych, nawożonych gnojowicą bydlęcą w dawkach 40, 60 i 80 m3· ha-1 oraz z dodatkiem preparatu dezynfekującego. Dawka 40 m3· ha-1 zwiększyła liczebność roztoczy, w tym dominujących mechowców w porównaniu z powierzchnią kontrolną, natomiast dawki 60 i 80 m3· ha-1 wpłynęły na nie ograniczająco. Dodatek środka grzybobójczego, przy średniej i wysokiej dawce nawozu, spowodował zmniejszenie liczebności Oribatida, Gamasida i Actinedida względem niskiej dawki nawozu z tym środkiem, co potwierdzono statystycznie. Podobną reakcję wywołał dodatek środka bakteriobójczego, natomiast preparat wirusobójczy działał niewyraźne. Wśród roztoczy dominowały Oribatida, natomiast Actinedida i Gamasida były mniej liczne. Wśród mechowców najliczniejsze były: Parachipteria bella, Liebstadia humerata, Achipteria coleoptrata i Scheloribates laevigatus. Mechowce preferowały dolny poziom traw, a ich zagęszczenie zmniejszało się wraz z głębokością

Mites (Acari, Oribatida) of selected organic farms from the Kujawy-Pomerania Province

The experiment was carried out on 3 organic farms in the Kujawy-Pomerania Province in 5 different habitats to determine the number and species composition of mites. Ten replicate samples of 50 cm3 and 17 cm2 were collected in 2011 from 3 layers, so altogether 780 samples were collected. In total, 14 taxa of Oribatida were identified. The total number of mites and Oribatida significantly differed in the analyzed habitats. Tectocepheus velatus [Michael, 1880], Scheloribates laevigatus [C.L. Koch, 1835], Punctoribates punctum [C.L. Koch, 1839] and Eupelops occultus [C.L. Koch, 1835] were the most abundant oribatid mite species

Seasonal dynamics of mites (Acari) in pastures and meadows in Poland, with species analysis of Oribatida

The study involved three pastures, grazed by geese, goats and fallow deer, and three nearby meadows (control plots) situated in north-central Poland. Samples of 150 cm3 each (6 cm of soil and 3 cm of lower parts of plants) were collected in spring, summer and autumn 2016 and 2017 in 10 replications, 360 samples in total. This material included 22.561 mites, among which Oribatida accounted for 69%, Mesostigmata for 21%, and other mites for 10%. At most study sites, both pastures and meadows, no significant seasonal differences in the abundance of Oribatida and Mesostigmata were seen. Such differences were only observed for the third category of other mites that were the most abundant in spring and usually the least abundant in autumn. Also species diversity of Oribatida differed between the seasons – in all pastures it was the highest in summer and the lowest in spring, while in all meadows it was the highest in spring and decreased towards autumn. Oribatid species were more affected by the habitats than by seasons, as some species were strongly associated with pastures (Platynothrus peltifer), other with meadows (Achipteria coleoptrata, Liebstadia similis, Metabelba pulverosa, Scheloribates laevigatus and Sellnickochthonius immaculatus), and some (Eupelops occultus and Tectocepheus velatus) were abundant in both habitats. Although the effect of seasonality was weaker than that of the habitat, it was still perceptible. Platynothrus peltifer was most associated with autumn, T. velatus with spring, E. occultus with spring and summer and L. similis with summer.publishedVersio

Distribution and population characteristics of the soil mites Diapterobates notatus and Svalbardia paludicola (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae) in High Arctic Svalbard (Norway)

The Oribatida of High Arctic Svalbard are faunistically relatively well known, but the distribution, density, stage structure and other population parameters of most species are unknown. Here we focus on two ceratozetid species, Diapterobates notatus (Thorell, 1871) and Svalbardia paludicola Thor, 1930, and investigate the summer density, stage and sex structure, proportion of gravid females and the body size of these species in 33 locations and 11 vegetation classes of Svalbard. Diapterobates notatus occurred in all vegetation classes and at 29 locations, whereas S. paludicola occurred in only two vegetation classes and at three locations. The common occurrence of D. notatus in Svalbard may be due to: (1) cosmopolitan nature of this species which inhabits all vegetation classes but with a preference for open Dryas/Carex rupestris communities, (2) high biological potential (females were more abundant than males and carried 6–7 large eggs) resulting in a high proportion of juveniles, and (3) juvenile morphology which possesses long setae that may enhance passive dispersal by the wind. Adult body size was found to be greatest in the floristically diverse Arctic meadows. Svalbardia paludicola was particularly abundant in the Arctic meadow at Reinsdyrflya where juveniles were more plentiful than the adults. The nymphs of this species have shorter gastronotal setae than those of D. notatus which may limit their passive transport by the wind. Scutozetes clavatosensillus Ermilov, Martens & Tolstikov, 2013 was found in Mosselbukta (north Spitsbergen); this is the first observation of this species in Svalbard. Oribatid mites · Ecology · Stage and sex structure · Body siz

Response of Indian Dwarf Wheat and Persian Wheat to Sowing Density and Hydrothermal Conditions of the Growing Seasons

The need for foods with high nutritional value has led to the rediscovery of ancient wheat species Triticum sphaerococcum and T. persicum as raw materials with valuable consumption properties, but their reintroduction requires assessment of their productivity under different agricultural practices. The field experiments were carried out for three years (2018–2020) to test the hypothesis that the sowing density of T. sphaerococcum and T. persicum (400, 500 and 600 no m−2) will affect their agronomic traits, yield and occurrence of diseases, but the response will depend on the hydrothermal conditions of the growing seasons. In this study, a significant correlation of the grain yield with the amount of precipitation in tillering, and from booting to the beginning of fruit development was demonstrated. The sowing density of T. sphaerococcum had an impact on the grain yield only under moderate drought stress during the growing season (2019), when the highest yield was obtained at a sowing density of 600 m−2. In 2019, the most favorable sowing density was also the highest for T. persicum. In the year with the lowest amount of rainfall during the growing season (2018), the yield of T. persicum was the highest in the lowest sowing density. At the shooting stage, a greater intensity of powdery mildew was observed on T. persicum, especially with higher sowing densities. Increasing the sowing density also increased the occurrence of root rot symptoms in both wheat species in the year that favored the occurrence of this disease (2018). It can be concluded that in the integrated low-input cultivation of T. sphaerococcum and T. persicum, it is justified to use a sowing density of 600 pcs. m−2, in an agroclimatic zone with moderate droughts during the growing season

Effect of Reduced Tillage on Soil Enzyme Activity, Pests Pressure and Productivity of Organically Grown Spring Wheat Species

The possibility of using reduced tillage in organic farming is poorly recognized. The study aimed to assess the impact of the tillage method (shallow tillage and plowing) on soil biochemical activity, pest pressure, and grain yield of Triticum sphaerococcum, T. persicum, and T. aestivum ssp. vulgare, grown in organic farming systems. For this purpose, field experiments were conducted at three certified organic farms located in different regions of Poland. Enzyme activity was influenced to a greater extent by local soil and weather conditions compared to wheat species and the tillage method. Insect pests (Oulema spp.) slightly damaged the leaves of wheat, and the reduced tillage did not increase the damage. Under site conditions favorable for the development of diseases significantly fewer disease symptoms were observed in shallow tillage compared to plowing (powdery mildew by 9.6–46.1%; stripe rust by 15.5–89%; Septoria head blotch by 0–84.4%; Fusarium head blotch by 0–47.4%, Fusarium foot rot by 0–100%). T. aestivum was characterized by the highest yield and the yield stability in various locations and tillage methods. Ancient wheat species (T. sphaerococcum and T. persicum) had a higher yield in shallow tillage compared to plowing tillage (by 64% and 30%, respectively) only under effective weed control

Distribution and population characteristics of the soil mites Diapterobates notatus and Svalbardia paludicola (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae) in High Arctic Svalbard (Norway)

The Oribatida of High Arctic Svalbard are faunistically relatively well known, but the distribution, density, stage structure and other population parameters of most species are unknown. Here we focus on two ceratozetid species, Diapterobates notatus (Thorell, 1871) and Svalbardia paludicola Thor, 1930, and investigate the summer density, stage and sex structure, proportion of gravid females and the body size of these species in 33 locations and 11 vegetation classes of Svalbard. Diapterobates notatus occurred in all vegetation classes and at 29 locations, whereas S. paludicola occurred in only two vegetation classes and at three locations. The common occurrence of D. notatus in Svalbard may be due to: (1) cosmopolitan nature of this species which inhabits all vegetation classes but with a preference for open Dryas/Carex rupestris communities, (2) high biological potential (females were more abundant than males and carried 6–7 large eggs) resulting in a high proportion of juveniles, and (3) juvenile morphology which possesses long setae that may enhance passive dispersal by the wind. Adult body size was found to be greatest in the floristically diverse Arctic meadows. Svalbardia paludicola was particularly abundant in the Arctic meadow at Reinsdyrflya where juveniles were more plentiful than the adults. The nymphs of this species have shorter gastronotal setae than those of D. notatus which may limit their passive transport by the wind. Scutozetes clavatosensillus Ermilov, Martens & Tolstikov, 2013 was found in Mosselbukta (north Spitsbergen); this is the first observation of this species in Svalbard. Oribatid mites · Ecology · Stage and sex structure · Body siz

A Forest Pool as a Habitat Island for Mites in a Limestone Forest in Southern Norway

Forest water bodies, e.g., pools, constitute ‘environmental islands’ within forests, with specific flora and fauna thus contributing considerably to the landscape biodiversity. The mite communities of Oribatida and Mesostigmata in two distinctive microhabitats, water-soaked Sphagnum mosses at the edge of a pool and other mosses growing on the medium-wet forest floor nearby, were compared in a limestone forest in Southern Norway. In total, 16,189 specimens of Oribatida representing 98 species, and 499 specimens of Mesostigmata, from 23 species, were found. The abundance and species number of Oribatida were significantly lower at the pool, while the abundance and species richness of Mesostigmata did not differ. Both the communities of Oribatida and of Mesostigmata differed among the microhabitats studied and analysis showed significant differences between the community structures in the two microhabitats. The most abundant oribatid species in Sphagnum mosses was Parachipteria fanzagoi (Jacot, 1929), which made up over 30% of all Oribatida, followed by Atropacarus striculus (C.L. Koch, 1835) and Tyrphonothrus maior (Berlese, 1910) (14% and 12% of Oribatida, respectively). Among Mesostigmata Paragamasus parrunciger (Bhattacharyya, 1963) dominated (44% of Mesostigmata), followed by P. lapponicus (Trägårdh, 1910) (14% of Mesostigmata). Most of these species, except P. lapponicus, were either absent or very uncommon in the other microhabitat studied. The specific acarofauna of the forest pool shows the importance of such microhabitats in increasing forest diversity. In addition, a quarter of the mite species found had not been reported from Norwegian broadleaf forests before, including five new species records for Norway and four new to Fennoscandia, all found in the medium-wet microhabitat. Most of these species are rarely collected and have their northernmost occurrence in the studied forest.publishedVersio