Abstract

Sensitivity of soil microarthropods to different fertilizers are varies greatly among species. The aim of this study was designated to identify the relationship between microarthropod abundance and fertilizers over the growing period of jasmine (March-December). The present study was carried out at the experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr El-Sheikh University, 140 Km to the north east of Cairo. The tested area was divided into four plots. The first one is considered as non-fertilized plot serves as a control. The second plot received urea (46 % N); by sprayer device on plant foliage, the third plot received ammonium sulphate, superphosphate and potassium sulphate (NPK) fertilizer added to the soil. The two fertilizers were used in the fourth plot, where urea was sprayed on plant foliage and NPK added to the soil. It is quite clear from the obtained results that the application of fertilizers over the period of growing season to the investigated area produced a marked effect on the oribatid mite and collembolan communities. However, the present results showed higher abundance of oribatid mites and Collembola in the plot fertilized with NPK than the other three plots. Also, the results showed that the second period (vegetative growth/blooming period) had the highest population density of oribatid mites in all studied plots except the third plot. However, the results revealed that the first period (early vegetative growth period) had the highest population density of Collembola in each studied plot, following by the second period (vegetative growth / blooming period) then the third period (blooming period).One–way ANOVA confirmed that there is significantly differences between the four plots during all the period of study for oribatid mites and Collembola.

Key words: Fertilizers, Population, Oribatid Mites, Collembola, Jasminum