Soil arthropods as a nutrient enhancer

Abstract

Arthropods represents 85% of the soil fauna in terms of species richness and they comprises the meso- and macro-fauna of the soil mainly. In the soil eco-system, Isopoda, Myriapoda, Insecta, Acari, and Collembola are chiefly dominating. Two main function carried out by arthropods in soil system one is litter transformers and another is ecosystem engineers. Litter transformers decompose plant debris, enhancing soil nutrient quality through mineralization and helps in faster growth and dispersal of microorganism. Up to 60% of annual litters processed by termites. In other hand Ecosystem engineers modify the soil aggregates, increase void space, alter soil structure, mineral and organic matter composition. The burrowing arthropods, particularly the termites, ants make subterranean network of tunnels and galleries that improve aeration through increase in soil porosity and also increase water holding capacity (WHC), increase root penetration of plants, facilitate nutrient supplement to plant and prevent surface crusting and erosion of topsoil. They facilitate mixing of top soil mineral to lower horizon. Humus content of soil surface increases which intern support growth and development of plant. The organically bound form of minerals are available to plant through mineralization process.