Impact of agrochemicals on the soil fertility and biodiversity of soil arthropods

Abstract

The soil is home to a large proportion of the world's genetic diversity. The linkages between soil organisms and soil functions are observed to be incredibly complex. The interconnectedness and complexity of this soil food web means any appraisal of soil
function must necessarily take into account interactions with the living communities that exist within the soil. The biomass of the soil fauna of the earth is approximately 20 times the biomass of the human beings living on the earth. It is an established fact that no soil is healthy unless it harbors soil organisms. A great variety of fauna inhabit soil. The soil as a complex environment affords high degree of protection from predators, protection from physical factors and provides access to large quantities of living plant material as food supply for soil arthropods which is the largest phylum of the animal kingdom. About 95% of all insects spend at least part of their life cycle within the soil. Some of these enter the soil merely to rest such as cut worm larva, may enter the soil for winter hibernation and a large proportion enter the soil for pupation.