Soil mites (Acari) in the cultivation of strawberries mulched with wood chips

The aim of the research was to determine the population density and group composition of soil mites (Acari), and in particular the species composition of oribatid mites (Oribatida), on strawberry plantations mulched with wood chips. Field studies were conducted in the experimental field of the Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice in 2011-2012. The plots selected for examination were mulched with wood chips as follows: ZC - chips without additives, ZT - chips with the addition of the biopreparation TSB (unidentified Gram-negative rod bacteria), ZG - addition of the biopreparation 7GII (unidentified Actinobacteria). The control plot was a patch of grass near the experimental plots.On the plots examined, the most abundant were oribatid mites, 16.11-18.84 thousand indiv.∙m-2. They accounted for 64.3% of all the mites in the grass patch, but significantly more of them (86.8-89.5%) were found on the strawberry plantations mulched with wood chips. A total of 17 species of oribatid mites were identified on the strawberry plots, but only 9 in the nearby patch of grass. Punctoribates punctum dominated in the grass-covered soil, while the dominant species in the mulched soil were Ramusella mihelcici or Tectocepheus velatus (depending on the experimental combination) .The high abundance and species diversity of ...

WATER NEEDS OF STRAWBERRY IN THE CHOJNICE COUNTY DEPENDING ON EXPECTED CLIMATE CHANGES

The aim of the study was to attempt to estimate the demand for water for strawberry grown in the Chojnice county depending on expected climate changes. The study takes into account two scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) for the period 2021-2100. It was found that in the reference period, the total rainfall deficits during the strawberry growing season in the Chojnice county - in the average, moderately dry and very dry years - amounted 31 mm, 127 mm and 192 mm, respectively. The largest monthly rainfall deficit during the strawberry growing season of the reference period occurred in June. The amount of rainfall deficit - in the average, moderately dry and very dry year - was on the level 19 mm, 39 mm and 53 mm, respectively. In the forecast period (2021-2100), the largest monthly rainfall deficits during the strawberry growing season will occur in July. These rainfall deficits under the RCP 4.5 scenario - in a medium, moderately dry and very dry year - will amount 15 mm, 40 mm and 58 mm, respectively. In the light of the RCP 8.5 scenario, rainfall deficits in July will be even higher and may amount to 17 mm, 43 mm ...