Root Herbivores in an Orchard System: Assessing the Influence of Root Herbivory and Pest Management on Root Dynamics, Soil Fauna, and Soil Carbon Pools
Lewis, E.E. and G. Stevens . 2008. Kearney Foundation of Soil Science
Abstract
The central objective of our study
was
to assess the influence of root herbivory on root
dynamics and major components of soil carbon cycles. A closely related objective is to assess the
influence of root herbivore management (chemical pesticides and biological control) on roots,
soil fauna (both root
herbivores and non-target fauna),
and soil carbon cycles. This field study
focused
on spatial and temporal variability in root herbivory within a single orchard-herbivore
system
and attempted
to identify common influences of these fauna on plant growth and soil-ecosystem function. We are among a sm
all number of
labs
world-wide
employing
the novel
mini-rhizotron technique for
the non-destructive study of
root dynamics
and carbon cycling
in
agricultural systems. The system is generally used in lighter soils, sandy-loams. The heavy clay
soil in our experimental plots presented us with an opportunity to design tools and protocols
uniquely suited to
this soil type.
