Impact of soil management on the abundance and diversity of soil macrofauna in cotton cropping systems

Abstract Soil macrofauna plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health and providing ecosystem services such as organic matter decomposition, nutrient recycling, and soil structure maintenance. However, intensive agricultural practices, including repeated tillage, lack of crop rotation, and excessive use of chemical inputs, have led to biodiversity loss and degradation of soil functions. In Benin, agroecological practices such as conservation agriculture and integrated soil fertility management have been promoted, yet their impact on soil macrofauna remains understudied. The study compared four soil management treatments: conventional tillage (CT), direct seeding (DS), direct seeding on Crotalaria-based mulch (DSP), and strip-tillage on Crotalaria-based mulch (ST). Soil macrofauna abundance increased between the first and second sampling, with Arthropoda representing over 90% of the total sampled individuals. The ST and DSP treatments exhibited significantly higher taxonomic richness, diversity, and abundance of key soil macrofauna groups, including detritivores (e.g., earthworms, termites) and predators (e.g., carabids, spiders). The presence of Crotalaria mulch contributed more to soil biodiversity than direct seeding alone, supporting findings from previous studies on conservation agriculture. Conservation tillage systems, particularly direct seeding and strip-tillage with cover crops, enhanced soil macrofauna diversity and abundance, promoting soil health and ecosystem functions. These findings emphasize the importance of adopting agroecological practices to sustain productive and resilient agricultural systems. Future research should explore long-term effects on trophic interactions and ecosystem stability.