ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The effect of ground cover plants in apple orchards on soil-dwelling Collembola
1
Department of Plant Protection, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
2
Department of Horticulture, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
These authors had equal contribution to this work
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2024-10-07
Acceptance date: 2024-11-26
Online publication date: 2025-06-27
Corresponding author
Olena Ewa Niszczak
Department of Plant Protection, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
Department of Plant Protection, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ground cover plants can enhance the Collembola abundance and diversity in orchards
- Collembola were significantly higher in soil with ground cover plants than fallow
- Collembola abundance was the highest in strips with Tagetes patula and Festuca ovina
- Cover crops enhanced soil biodiversity
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Ground cover plants in orchards can effectively improve soil quality. One factor determining
soil health is the presence of fauna, including mesofauna, which play a crucial role in
soil ecosystems. However, the relationship between ground cover and Collembola assemblages
in orchards remains underexplored. This study investigated how different ground
cover plants sown in rows of apple trees influence the abundance and diversity of Collembola.
Conducted at the Research Station of Wrocław University of Environmental and
Life Sciences, Poland, the experiment utilized three cover species: Tagetes patula, Festuca
ovina, and Agrostis capillaris, with fallow plots serving as control samples. Soil samples were
collected over 2 years (2015–2016) to assess springtails richness and species composition.
Results indicated that springtails were significantly more abundant in soils managed with
ground cover plants than in conventionally managed fallow stands. Notably, the highest
mean Collembola numbers were recorded in strips planted with T. patula and F. ovina. The
springtail communities were primarily dominant in each of the treatments by two eudaphic
species, Mesaphorura macrochaeta and Hypogastrura assimilis. These findings underscore
the importance of cover crops in sustainable agriculture by reducing herbicide reliance,
enhancing soil aeration, improving soil fertility through organic matter, and fostering biodiversity
of soil biota.
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Andrea Toledo
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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| ISSN: | 1427-4345 |
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