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THE INFLUENCE OF THE LATERAL WATER INFILTRATION ON THE ENTOMOFAUNA AND SOIL MESOFAUNA FROM SOME POLYTUNNELS OF NORTH EASTERN ROMANIA

Camil Stefan Lungu Constantineanu

Abstract

Our investigation has been focused on establishing the slowing down plant growth at the border of polytunnels. In order to determine the limiting factors of plant growth, we have conducted studies on soil properties, entomofauna and soil mesofauna. The research has been carried out in several polytunnels located in North Eastern Romania (Bac?u, Ia?i, B?rlad, F?lticeni, H?rl?u, T?rgu Frumos, Matca-Tecuci) In the field were developed and characterized soil profiles and samples were taken to determine the states of compactness and humidity. The results of researches revealed a strong growth stagnation of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and peppers. The areas where plants have recorded the lowest growth are found in the lateral parts and at the entrance to the polytunnels, as a result of the larger amounts of rainfall, recorded during the vegetation season. Following the analysis, we found that there is a direct correlation between the width of the over wetted soil strip in the lateral parts of the polytunnel and its constructive parameters (width, height, plastic or glass walls), the distance between the polytunnels and the characteristics of the ploughed and under ploughed soil layers. As a result of a pluvial front, the amount of water fallen on the soil unit between the polytunnels, is 6 to 20 times higher than the land in the vicinity of the polytunnels, due to the water flowing from both sides of the solarium. Compaction of the plough layer between the polytunnels, the presence of the hardpan layer, are the additional factors on which the water infiltration rate depends. In addition to the growing stagnation of cultivated plants, a more pronounced incidence of diseases and a more intense attack of the pests, represented by Thysanoptera (Thrips tabaci) and Homoptera, especially aphids ? Myzus persicae and Hemiptera ? greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum). Mesofauna is known as indicator of edaphic conditions, such as water excess. Our investigation revealed very large differences, both quantitative and qualitative, between samples with excess moisture and dry soil between rows. Thus, the average global density was about 35 times higher in the excessively wet soil, and some groups missing in the dry soil are present here (Astigmata and Trombidiformes among mites), whereas other groups are more abundant (e.g., collembolans, which were 49 times more abundant in the wet soil). The presence of astigmatid mites in high proportion in samples with water excess indicates some anaerobic degradation processes of soil organic matter correlated with the time of water stagnation

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2018/3.2/s13.077

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