Improving above and below-ground arthropod biodiversity in maize cultivation systems

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Norris, S. L., Blackshaw, R. P., Dunn, R. M., Critchley, N. R., Smith, K. E., Williams, J. R., Randall, N. P. and Murray, P. J. 2016. Improving above and below-ground arthropod biodiversity in maize cultivation systems. Applied Soil Ecology. 108 (December), pp. 25-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.07.015

AuthorsNorris, S. L., Blackshaw, R. P., Dunn, R. M., Critchley, N. R., Smith, K. E., Williams, J. R., Randall, N. P. and Murray, P. J.
Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a multi-use crop, but its cultivation has a number of associated environmental and ecological impacts. Few investigations have been undertaken to understand the impact of different maize cultivation techniques on above- and below-ground arthropod communities. This study has shown that strip tillage cultivation of maize improves arthropod community structure and biodiversity though a reduction in the area disturbed by cultivation and increased non-crop. Furthermore, increasing the richness of non-crop plants within strip tillage systems further increased the numbers of above- and below-ground taxa. Although there was a significant reductions in maize yield under strip tillage cultivation systems compared to the more conventional cultivation techniques making adoption unlikely, our results do show with simple changes in maize cultivation practice there can be benefits to biodiversity. The research challenge is now not to be able to enhance biodiversity, but to develop integrated crop management practices that sustain yields.

KeywordsMaize; Above-ground; Below-ground; Diversity; Richness; Density
Year of Publication2016
JournalApplied Soil Ecology
Journal citation108 (December), pp. 25-46
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.07.015
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderDepartment of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Funder project or codeSustainability
The effect of strip cropping maize on invertebrate biodiversity
Competitive maize cultivation with reduced environmental impact
Publisher's version
Copyright license
Publisher copyright
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online04 Aug 2016
Publication process dates
Accepted27 Jul 2016
ISSN0929-1393
PublisherElsevier Science Bv

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