LEY DETERIORATION AND SOIL INSECTS

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Abstract
Two insecticides were applied to a 5‐year‐old ley and their effects on yield and soil fauna were studied a year later. Aldrin (2 lb. actual toxicant per acre) or dieldrin (1 lb. actual toxicant per acre) was incorporated in a standard dressing of compound fertilizer.One year after treatment the yield of dry matter was significantly higher on dieldrin plots than on plots receiving fertilizer alone. The soil fauna was examined in dieldrin and control plots. The wireworm (Agriotes spp.) populations were 80,000 and 400,000 per acre respectively. The increase in herbage yield was ascribed to the reduction in the number of wireworms. Mite and Collembola populations were very significantly reduced by dieldrin: the effect of this reduction on the breakdown of soil organic matter is discussed. A reduction in numbers of predaceous insects also followed insecticidal treatment, but it is thought that the resurgence rate of these insects would keep pace with that of wireworms.

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