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15 December 2019 Effects of Strip Tillage in Sugar Beet on Density and Richness of Predatory Arthropods
Erik J. Wenninger, Jessica R. Vogt, Jeffrey Lojewski, Oliver T. Neher, Don W. Morishita, Kristin E. Daku
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Abstract

Strip tillage, in which tillage and seedbed preparation are limited to a narrow band where the subsequent crop is planted, provides many potential agronomic benefits, including reduced fuel and labor costs, reduced erosion, and improved soil tilth. Lower soil disturbance and enhanced water retention associated with strip tillage also may affect density and diversity of predatory arthropods, which have been little studied in sugar beet. We examined the effects of tillage (conventional versus strip) on the predatory epigeal arthropod fauna in sugar beet. Studies were conducted over three growing seasons (2010–2012) in Idaho using both fenced and unfenced pitfall traps to sample arthropods. Unfenced pitfall traps often captured a greater activity density and richness of predators, and showed no bias of higher captures in conventionally tilled plots as has been shown elsewhere. Total density of predators was higher in strip tillage only during 2011. Density and species richness of carabid beetles did not differ between tillage treatments during the course of the study. Density of the other major taxa (staphylinid beetles, spiders, and Opiliones) was higher under strip tillage during some years, especially early in the season, but richness showed little or no relationship with tillage. Predaceous arthropods might be favored by enhanced ground cover, higher humidity, more moderate temperatures, and/or less habitat disturbance associated with strip-tilled plots.The results suggest that certain groups of soil-dwelling predatory arthropods can be favored by strip tillage in sugar beet, which further adds to the benefits of conservation tillage in this system.

© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Erik J. Wenninger, Jessica R. Vogt, Jeffrey Lojewski, Oliver T. Neher, Don W. Morishita, and Kristin E. Daku "Effects of Strip Tillage in Sugar Beet on Density and Richness of Predatory Arthropods," Environmental Entomology 49(1), 33-48, (15 December 2019). https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz135
Received: 28 June 2019; Accepted: 22 October 2019; Published: 15 December 2019
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KEYWORDS
Araneae
Carabidae
conservation tillage
Opiliones
Staphylinidae
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