Effect of intercrop cultivation in maize stands on arthropods biomasses and diversity

Abstract

In a field trial, agronomic and crop effects of six intercrop mixtures and control (without catch crop) were investigated in maize cultivation. Additionally, the arthropod fauna was recorded with ground traps on in three dates in 2020 (10.-17.7.; 17.8. – 24.8.; 14.9. – 17.9.). The experimental objective was to verify whether the plant biomass remaining on the field (dt DM/ha) and its energy content (GJ/ha) have an impact on the diversity (Shannon-Weaner index) of the arthropod community and its biomass. It was found that the diversity of arthropod community differed significantly between some variants. However, the differences could not be explained by the introduced plant biomass and energy or other factors (number of plant species in the seed mixture, winter hardiness of the catch crops etc.). However, arthropod biomass increased as plant biomass and energy input increased. The result is consistent with literature findings on food web energy transfer and differential resource use by arthropod species. Similarly, the result is discussed in the context of policy approaches to promote insect conservation.