Soil macrofauna abundance, biomass and selected soil properties in the home garden and coffee-based agroforestry systems at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia
Asaye Asfaw, Solomon Zewudie
Abstract
Agroforestry practices (AFPs) are typical solutions for low-input agricultural systems. AFPs play critical roles in the improvement of the abundance and biomass of soil invertebrates, which are necessary for long-term improvement of soil properties. The overall objective of the present study was to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics in macrofauna abundance and biomass in home gardens and coffee-based agroforestry systems and relate it with the dynamics in a range of soil physico-chemical parameters. The two AF systems differed in plant species richness and diversity of life forms. For both sampling seasons, higher number of macrofauna was collected from home garden AF than in the Coffee-based AF plot. Total macrofaunal biomass between the wet and dry seasons was significantly different (p < 0.05) for samples from home garden AF plot. Depth-wise patterns in macrofauna abundance and biomass showed distinct seasonal variation in the two-agroforestry systems. For both AF plots, marked and significant (p < 0.001) seasonal differences were observed in relation to soil moisture, temperature, and pH. On the other hand, dry season samples from the home garden AF plot had significantly (p < 0.001) higher moisture content and soil pH than the coffee-based AF plot. Home garden AF system provides a better belowground environment for enhanced soil macrofauna proliferation and activity reflected in higher biomass & abundance than Coffee-based AF. Accordingly, farmers are encouraged to maintain their farm production and productivity with agroforestry. F0B7 Home garden agroforestry system has diverse plant species composition than coffee based agroforestry system. F0B7 Home garden is better in terms of soil macrofauna abundance and biomass. F0B7 Soil macrofauna biomass and abundance showed seasonal dynamics.